The Ministry of Education permanent secretary Dr Brij Lal has reminded schools and parents on the recent announcement by the Prime Minister that education for students in 2014 will be free.
Dr Lal was reacting to recent reports on newsletters issued by schools for parents to make advance payments on school levies for 2014.
“I want to make it very clear that no one whether the management nor the head teachers and principals should be charging advance payment for 2014 school fees. The Prime Minister of the country has clearly announced in the 2014 budget that all school fees for 2014 will be paid by the government and no school should be burdening the parents on this,” remarked Dr. Lal.
“The only fees that management can collect from parents now are the outstanding levies for and before 2013.There has been newsletters circulated to parents to make advance payments now on the 2014 school fees and refunds will be made to them when grants are paid out by the government. I wish to inform teachers sending such newsletters that this is an act of insubordination. As civil servants, we should be giving our full support to all new initiatives undertaken by the government,” commented Dr. Lal.
“The Minister has been saying it and I am confirming it now that parents should not be coerced into making advance payments for the 2014 school fees. A circular will be released soon to all schools on this issue,” added Dr. Lal.
“I also wish to notify all school managements and school heads that any previous approval of school fees before the 2014 budget by the Permanent Secretary for Education has been revoked and should not be used on parents to make advance payments on the 2014 school fees. The circular that will be circulated to schools will define the boundaries of this new initiative by the government,” said Dr. Lal.
Schools sending newsletters to parents on the advance payment of fees are advised that this is not acceptable and will not be tolerated by the Ministry of Education.
“The government is pursuing all avenues possible to reduce financial burden on the parents and to ensure that all Fijian children have access to quality education. Stakeholders of the education fraternity should adhere to this dream and ensure that this is realized in all schools for a better and improved Fiji,” concluded the Permanent Secretary.
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