It is understood that headmasters/headmistresses and bursars could be the primary targets in the latest exercise since they are the custodians of funds received from parents or guardians.

Teachers' unions are however, divided over the exercise with the militant Progressive Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (PTUZ) opposed to the initiative while the Zimbabwe Teachers Association (ZIMTA) is supporting it.

PTUZ accuses the ministry of failing to relieve public schools of their financial burden. Increasingly, most public schools are now depended on their SDAs.

Raymond Majongwe, PTUZ secretary general, termed the blitz a "divide and conquer strategy" being used to shift public attention from the critical issues that affect the Ministry of Education.

"This is a divide and rule strategy meant to create animosity between the teachers, the SDAs and headmasters/headmistresses. It is merely a smoke screen to cover up the failures of the Education Ministry which it is trying to sweep up under the carpet," he said.

"This term is an examinations term and this has created disquiet among the schools, as they will have to concentrate on auditors rather than the administration part of school examinations," he added.

David Coltart, the Education Minister, described as "normal reaction", the backlash from PTUZ.

He said his ministry was merely responding to recommendations from the permanent secretary of Education and to letters from concerned parents.

"I am working on crafting regulations on how measures can be taken and implemented to ensure accountability and one of the things that have been suggested is that school accounts be posted on notice boards," he said.

ZIMTA chief executive officer, Sifiso Ndlovu, welcomed the initiative saying it will benefit the education sector although he expressed reservations over its timing.