Zimbabwe court orders opening of schools

[United Press International]

HARARE, Zimbabwe, May 7 (UPI) -- Zimbabwe's government
backed down Friday from its closure of private schools after the
nation's top court ruled the shutdown was illegal.
On the court's order Thursday the government withdrew police
Friday from 45 private schools serving 30,000 students that were
closed after they raised fees in response to a 580 percent inflation
rate, the BBC reported.
Education Minister Aeneas Chigwedere had accused the schools
of massively increasing fees to keep out black pupils.
"We are dealing with racist schools," he said. "They are all
former white schools, all racist."
When the government closed the schools they sought relief in
the High Court, which acted Thursday by ruling the closures were
illegal.
The court also ordered the police not to interfere in the
smooth running of the school.
At least six head teachers have been arrested over the fee
increases. They have been released on bail and were due in court on
Friday.