CHARGING of additional fees by both education authorities and schools is illegal.
Minister of education, Dick Ha’amori clarified this during the question and answers session in Parliament Thursday.
Mr Ha’amori said that schools should not be charging substantial additional school fees on students unless approved, authorised and signed by the minister himself.
“Fees that are paid to schools whether it be tuition fee, transport fee, school contribution, caution fee, campus or boarding fee or whatever the name used are all school fees which should not be charged onto students attending primary or junior secondary schools as it all fall under the fee-free education policy,” he said.
“Any of these fees charged must be notified to the ministry for approval before implemented.
“The minister himself would be the one to sign and approve any such additional fees,” Mr Ha’amori clarified.
He said that the ministry is also looking at penalising education authorities, schools, and headmasters or headmistresses that charge substantial amounts of schools on students in the future.
Mr Ha’amori said that during his time in office, he has yet to receive, approve or sign any of these additional fees by schools.
Mr Ha’amori also clarified that students should not be sent home because of school fee problems.
He said that all these have been included in the annual school grants.
“Primary schools receive more than $20 million and secondary schools receive $45 million in annual grants.
“This money should cater for all development needs of the school, including stationary and maintenance,” Mr Ha’amori said.
He said that having received their grants in two phases, schools are required to retire how the money is being used.
“Only schools that retire their receipts are given the full annual grants, others who don’t provide this don’t receive the full grants,” Mr Ha’amori said.
By JEREMY INIFIRI
