PRIVATE schools are facing opposition from parents for
demanding Third Term fees despite Government shelving the reopening of schools.
Schools such as Petra College and Girls College have
demanded that parents pay fees for the remainder of the year.
Some have removed pupils from online learning platforms
demanding fees for second term against Government’s policy position that pupils
must not be penalised, but action must be taken against parents.
Schools closed in March as Government imposed measures to
mitigate the spread of the virus and last Tuesday Cabinet deferred the
reopening of schools from July 28 to a later date due to increasing Covid-19
cases.
To ensure learners do not regress educationally, some
schools have adopted online learning while Government delivers lessons on
radio.
Parents who spoke to Chronicle yesterday said their
businesses had been negatively affected by Covid-19 and expected schools to
demand fees that reflect that only online learning was in progress and the
country was in a health crisis. They also said some of the relatives outside
the country who used to help them were also affected, but schools were
rejecting payment plans.
Petra College chairman Mr Mpiyesizwe Ndebele in a letter
dated July 17, announced the school’s fees structure which stands at US$1 400
for secondary school, junior school US$900 and Early Childhood Development
(ECD) classes pay US$800.
Girls College is demanding payment of $49 000 for second term
and is yet to communicate the third term fees.
In an interview yesterday, Mr Ndebele said they will review
the amount after Government said schools will no longer be reopening.
“We came up with that structure at the time when the
Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education had tabled the phased reopening. We
have not reviewed as yet and we are still to review it in light of what the
ministry has announced,” said Mr Ndebele.
Mr Ndebele, however, declined to comment on the second term
fees they were demanding not being approved by Government.
However, parents said the school was not telling the truth.
“We are shocked that this is what they are telling the
media. The Cabinet’s resolution was made on Tuesday but we received the letters
on Friday. They need to be open with their communication. It doesn’t make sense
that we make payments when we are not sure when schools are opening. Online
learning is good to assist children in many ways but still this doesn’t justify
the fees being demanded,” said a parent who preferred speaking anonymously.
At Girls College, the institution is said to have early
this month removed pupils who have not paid fees for the second term from
Google Classroom in violation of the education policy.
The policy states that it is unconstitutional for schools
to victimise learners for nonpayment of fees as it is a parent that signs
contractual obligations.
Girls College administrator, Mr Mbongeni Mkhwananzi
declined to comment saying he is not responsible for talking to the press.
“We were expecting the people in charge of running the
school on July 28. I am not responsible for speaking to the press. Please do
not quote me,” said Mr Mkhwananzi.
However, a parent at the school said when they approach Girls
College for payment plans, the school refuses and refers them to a financial
institution that has a partnership with the college that provides a loan to pay
the full amount and parents are required to pay back with interest.
Bulawayo Provincial Education Director Mrs Olicah Kaira
said school fees increases have not been approved.
She said approvals for fee increments are granted by the
permanent secretary in the Ministry Mrs Tumisang Thabela.
Reached for comment, Mrs Thabela directed questions to the
Ministry director of communications Mr Taungana Ndoro, who demanded that
questions be sent in writing.
Primary and Secondary Education Minister Ambassador Cain
Mathema, said the policy position remains that no school should be demanding
fees payment outside set regulations.
“Any school fees for registered schools are approved by the
permanent secretary so they must follow procedure. Because policy wise even
Government schools have costs whether schools are closed or not. That is why
under normal circumstances levies are paid in such a way that they cover the
running of the schools.
“Because schools have to pay utility bills and so forth.
So, the policy has been no payment of fees or levies whether public or private
schools if not approved,” said Mr Mathema.
He said it was time for education stakeholders to debate
about how they want schools to operate during this Covid-19 but challenged
parents to be heavily involved in their children’s learning. Chronicle
0 comments:
Post a Comment