EDUCATION minister David Coltart yesterday defended the sending away of pupils over non-payment of fees, saying parents should pay up before schools open to avoid inconveniences.
Report by Feluna Nleya
His comments came amid reports that pupils in many parts of the country were turned away from school after failing to pay school fees at the beginning of the second term on Tuesday.
“This is a perennial problem and starts at the beginning of the term. It is regrettable, but the schools need money to operate,” Coltart said.
“If parents do not pay, schools will not have any money to run them and they will eventually close. I ask headmasters to be sympathetic and give parents (payment) terms that allow the pupils to go to school because this will only make the kids suffer and lag behind,” said Coltart.
“But parents also have to be responsible and pay their children’s school fees on time so as to avoid this when schools open. Government has to invest more in the education sector, but that is not possible at the moment because there is no money. So, this is the time where we ask parents to prioritise their children’s fees.”
At some schools, members of the School Development Committees reportedly stood by the school gates demanding proof of payment and turning away pupils.
A parent who requested anonymity told NewsDay that it was unfair for school authorities to demand payment on the opening day.
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“How can they chase away my children on the first day of school? This is unnecessary and we urge the ministry to act on this kind of behaviour by school authorities,” the parent said.
