Schools cannot deny students

The Consumer Council is disturbed and shocked with the arrogant behaviour of some primary schools in the central division.

With less than a day left for a new school year to begin, some schools are laying conditions for the admission of new and existing students.

The Council has received a few complaints where schools are demanding both first and second term school fess upfront at the start of new school year. There are other schools who are demanding school fees for the whole year before the child is enrolled.

A mother of three who lodged a complaint with the Council was told to arrange for $150 which she owed for walk-a-thon for last year to be cleared before the child can be enrolled for a new school year. She was willing to pay $210 for the school fees for the first term but was given no as an answer when she requested the school for more time to clear the walk-a-thon payment. All her three children were denied enrolment this morning because she has to clear $150 first. Imagine the financial burden on this parent together with shopping for other schooling needs such as school uniforms, books and shoes.

The Council upon clarifying with the Ministry of Education was informed that no child can be turned away from a school because of non payment of fees. The approved fee for a primary school per child is $35 for a term. The Council fails to understand why schools are demanding for payment of fees for 2 terms when the service is yet to be provided. This demand made by schools is unacceptable.

The Education Ministry has also clarified that there is no such thing as upfront payment as parent’s financial obligations can always be discussed with the school head teachers.

For walk-a-thon, the Education Ministry has clarified that is seen as a fundraising event which is optional. Hence a child is not obligated to participate in this. Therefore schools are wrong to demand payment for this making it sound like its compulsory.

The Council would like to advice the parents that schools are in no position to make such demands and pressure them to pay school fees for other school terms so long as they pay first term fees. This is absolutely a bullying tactic used by schools and it is shameful to see that schools are compromising education with finance when the Government of the day is doing its best to provide free educate to all children.

The Council urges parents to disregard such demands made by schools and to lodge a formal complaint against the school at the Council or Education Ministry if they are adamant for the payment to be cleared.