NO PRIMARY school student should be charged fees or barred from school for non-payment of 'contributions' requested by the school, Maxine Henry-Wilson, the Education Minister, warned last night.
With the new school year beginning today, she reiterated in a national broadcast, the Government's stance:
"The policy is that no fees should be charged at the primary level. Where schools request contributions for maintenance or for the functioning of special groups such as the Parent-Teacher Association, such charges are not compulsory and cannot result in the student being excluded from classes."
She urged administrators of primary schools to fully use textbooks provided by the Government and not overburden parents with the additional expense of buying more textbooks. "Our concern is the burden that the purchase of the additional texts place on the parents, when to our certain knowledge, the texts provided by the ministry are adequate for the specific subject areas," Mrs. Henry-Wilson said.
"We know that our teachers have the best interests of our children at heart (but) do not burden parents with unnecessary purchases at this time," she added.
While taking note of all the back-to-school preparations, the Education Minister emphasised the importance of getting an education and noted the various programmes of assistance that can be accessed by parents who are in need of financial help.
"Education is the most valid investment that can be made in our children. As a parent, you want to make sure that your child is fully prepared for school, not only physically, but also psychologically," she said.
For those attending secondary schools, Mrs. Henry-Wilson pointed out that the absolute deadline for applications for financial assistance through the Programme for Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) is September 15. She noted that the schools are now being advised of the outcome of the applications which had already been made.
Those whose applications had not been successful would have a second opportunity through an appeals process which would review the applications, she said.
The Education Ministry had made every effort to meet the needs of schools in terms of equipment and furniture and had supplied all the needs for grades 1 to 3, she said. This is in addition to providing funds to effect emergency repairs to address leaky roofs and sanitation. "We will not be able to meet all the needs immediately but will continue to do so throughout the school year, as resources are low," Mrs. Henry-Wilson explained.
