The Education Ministry would like to send out a stern warning to all school committees and administrations that the textbook assistance scheme should not open opportunities for schools to charge more levies.
A number of schools have been reported to be charging exorbitant levies when the Ministry decided to assist families who are facing difficulties in sending their children to school.
It is expected that while the Ministry will provide textbooks for all children in Fiji, schools should not be charging any more book fee scheme.
The Ministry wishes to remind all school committees and managements that they must work in unity with the Ministry’s goal for every child to attain 12 years of basic education.
It has also been noted that a number of schools have charged students with very high enrolment fees aside from other levies.
Students at secondary and primary should not be treated like tertiary students in the way fees are charged.
These schools are warned that any change in their fee structure would have to be approved by the Permanent Secretary for Education and those who breach this important ruling will have to revert to their initial approved fees stated during their registration, otherwise, they will have to face the full brunt of the law.
School Inspectorates will soon be visiting schools and this is an issue that they will be looking into during their visits.
The Ministry trusts that all schools will abide by fee/levy structure signed and agreed upon by the Ministry and the school during or after registration.
Minister for Education, National Heritage, Culture and Arts, Youth and Sports, Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment, Mr Filipe Bole