The Ministry of Education has completed a review of school fees and levies charged by primary schools.
As a result of the review, a new school fees and levy guideline calculated then based on the school roll and location has been approved.
There are four categories of schools;
§ Category A are schools in very remote areas with a roll between 10 to 49,
§ Category B are small schools in remote rural areas with a roll between 50 to 99,
§ Category C are medium schools in remote, rural and urban areas with a roll between 100 to 149; and
§ Category D are medium and large schools mainly in rural, peri-urban and urban areas with a roll of 150 or more students.
The new approved guidelines allow schools in Categories A, B, and C to charge a maximum of $30 per child per term or $90 per child per year.
Schools in Category D can charge a maximum of $35 per child per term or $105 per child per year.
The details on the type and amount of fees levied are at the discretion of the school management but the ceiling in the approved guidelines must be adhered to. However, it must be submitted to the Ministry of Education permanent secretary for approval.
The approved guidelines also include the removal of enrolment or admission fees, therefore no school is to charge any enrolment or admission fees.
All schools that charge more than what they should are to reduce their levies to remain under the ceiling prescribed.
The Ministry of Education has sent out a school fees structure return form to all primary schools to fill and return, indicating the different fees and levies charged for each child per term and for the year.
It is imperative for schools to distribute their total current fees and levies charged under the types of school levies allowed and within the prescribed ceiling.
Parents, teachers and school committees must understand that these school levies are different from the tuition fee grant.
-ENDS-