Ministry warns schools again
21 November 2019 | Education
With the introduction of the Universal Primary Education Grant (UPEG) and the Universal Secondary Education Grant (USEG) in 2013 and 2016, the ministry of education once again reminded parents and schools that no school may compel any parent to make any financial contribution towards the admission of learners to school.
In a statement released today, the education ministry said that a moral obligation remains for parents and guardians towards supporting the education of their children. “This means that parents and guardians are still at liberty to and thus encouraged to make voluntary financial contributions to schools for the purpose to assist with the upkeep, maintenance and improvement of infrastructure and other amenities of such schools.”
According to acting chief public relations officer Absalom Absalom, with the increasing cost of education, parents are urged and encouraged to assist schools in whatever form to enable schools to meet learners' education needs. “This should however not be construed to mean that parents are in any way compelled to do so and as such, no school may demand payment from any parent for the placement of any learner in such a school.”
Nevertheless, he said that schools are encouraged to come up with fundraising initiatives, but that these should not circumvent government's stance on the abolishment of compulsory parental financial contributions. “The ministry cautions all schools and their management to ensure that any fundraising initiative introduced are voluntary and not mandatory.”
He added that no learner may be denied progress to the next grade or continued placement at the school do to non-payment of any fees, saying that parents should contact education inspectors or their directorates of education in their region to report such cases.
In a statement released today, the education ministry said that a moral obligation remains for parents and guardians towards supporting the education of their children. “This means that parents and guardians are still at liberty to and thus encouraged to make voluntary financial contributions to schools for the purpose to assist with the upkeep, maintenance and improvement of infrastructure and other amenities of such schools.”
According to acting chief public relations officer Absalom Absalom, with the increasing cost of education, parents are urged and encouraged to assist schools in whatever form to enable schools to meet learners' education needs. “This should however not be construed to mean that parents are in any way compelled to do so and as such, no school may demand payment from any parent for the placement of any learner in such a school.”
Nevertheless, he said that schools are encouraged to come up with fundraising initiatives, but that these should not circumvent government's stance on the abolishment of compulsory parental financial contributions. “The ministry cautions all schools and their management to ensure that any fundraising initiative introduced are voluntary and not mandatory.”
He added that no learner may be denied progress to the next grade or continued placement at the school do to non-payment of any fees, saying that parents should contact education inspectors or their directorates of education in their region to report such cases.
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