Ministry sets maximum limit for School Registration Fees

Some persons have raised alarm in relation to the registration fees being requested by some schools. One parent whose child is attending the West Ruimveldt Primary school, in a letter published in the local daily noted that the administration of the school is requesting $6000 as registration fee.

The Ministry of Education on Wednesday expressed concerns that “some School Administrators have been requesting significant sums of money for the registration of new students to Nursery, Primary and Secondary Schools under the pretext that such sums were previously agreed upon by the Parent Teachers Association.”

In a statement, it clarified that the Parent/Teacher Associations (PTA) are required to conduct fundraising activities to offset non-budgetary costs (Badges, PTA dues, Report Booklets, Miscellaneous) at schools, however “if the activities planned and executed by the Parent Teachers Association do not generate the income to offset non-budgetary costs, then” monies can be requested from parents.

The Ministry further stated that sums should not exceed “for All Nursery Schools – not more than $2,500.00/year; for All Primary Schools – not more than $3,000.00/year; for Secondary Schools – not more than $5,000.00/year and for National Secondary Schools (Queen’s College, The Bishops’ High, St. Stanislaus College, St. Rose’s and St. Joseph)– not more than $8,000.00/year.”

Additionally, it said NO ADDITIONAL request must be made from parents and there must be no compulsion for students to purchase P.E. clothes, aprons for Home Economics, Lab Coats, Tie-pin inter alia; from the school.

Also parents of nursery children should not be issued with any list of supplies to be purchased.

“No students shall be denied Registration to any school due to their inability to pay; children have a right to schooling and must be registered” the Ministry affirmed.