According to reports, a meeting was held last week where
parents at Mambale Primary School with outstanding fees were given until July
29, 2024, to settle their accounts by headman, Chief Matenfa
“We’re facing a serious problem here,” said one villager.
“The headman, along with the school principal, called a meeting last Wednesday
at Mambale Primary School for parents who owe school fees.”
The villager alleges they were instructed to pay R300 to
the school by the specified date. “Those who fail to comply will be visited by
a chief’s messenger, incurring an additional US$20 fee,” he added.
Another villager expressed the community’s struggle to
gather funds under this pressure.
The villagers further claim the headman rejected school fee
payments facilitated by the government, citing delays in processing.
“My father is a war veteran, and we submitted forms at
Mhlahlandlela last term for the government to cover the fees,” a source said.
“But the headman rejected it, saying the government takes too long to pay. Now,
my father has to pay out of pocket and hopes to be reimbursed once the
government comes through.”
“When my father requested a letter from the school to take
to Mhlahlandlela, they refused to give him one,” the source added.
The situation has heightened anxieties, with villagers
fearing a follow-up meeting on July 29th. They believe the headman plans to use
the school register to identify defaulters and then seize goats or valuables
from their homesteads. This is particularly concerning given the lack of
employment opportunities in the area, forcing many to rely on NGOs for
survival.
Contacted for comment, Headman Matenga confirmed calling a
meeting to encourage parents to settle their outstanding fees.
“We held a meeting to urge parents to pay their school
fees,” he said. “According to the teachers, most haven’t paid in a long time.”
Headman Matenga acknowledged setting a due date but
clarified it was intended for parents to meet with the School Development
Committee (SDC) and teachers to discuss their arrears and establish payment
plans.
He further explained that mentioning the chief’s messenger
was meant to motivate parents to pay and ensure the school’s smooth operation.
However, Matenga denied rejecting government-facilitated
fee payments. CITE
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