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THE Ministry of Education has decreed that no child should be denied entry to any school due to the inability to pay registration fees, since everyone has a right to schooling and must be registered.
In a press release yesterday, the ministry said it has noted, with concern, that some administrators have been requesting significant sums of money to register new students to nursery, primary and secondary schools, under the pretext that such amounts were previously agreed upon by the Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs). The ministry release outlined guidelines which are stated in the circular for non-budgetary costs, after giving great consideration to the needs of schools.
According to the release, the PTA for each school has been authorised to conduct fund-raising activities to support administration to offset non-budgetary costs, like for badges, PTA dues and report booklets.
“Such activities must be promoted to strengthen the partnership between schools and the community,” the release stated.
It explained that, if the activities planned and executed by the PTA do not generate the income to offset non-budgetary expenses, then certain guidelines should be followed for the payment of registration fees.
The ministry said that, for all nursery schools, parents should not pay more than $2,500 per year; primary schools not more than $3,000; secondary schools not more than $5,000 and not more than $8,000 for National Secondary Schools.
“These sums were carefully considered for all non-budgetary costs and, as such, no additional request must be made from parents. 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. Parents of nursery children should not be issued with any list of supplies to be purchased,” the ministry warned.
The ministry took the opportunity to remind the public that the sums mentioned are the maximum limits for each level and can be lowered.
“You are also to ensure that the membership of your PTA is also made aware of this circular, which is crucial to its functioning. The Executive Committee members should also affix their signatures as having seen and read,” the release advised.
In a press release yesterday, the ministry said it has noted, with concern, that some administrators have been requesting significant sums of money to register new students to nursery, primary and secondary schools, under the pretext that such amounts were previously agreed upon by the Parent Teachers Associations (PTAs). The ministry release outlined guidelines which are stated in the circular for non-budgetary costs, after giving great consideration to the needs of schools.
According to the release, the PTA for each school has been authorised to conduct fund-raising activities to support administration to offset non-budgetary costs, like for badges, PTA dues and report booklets.
“Such activities must be promoted to strengthen the partnership between schools and the community,” the release stated.
It explained that, if the activities planned and executed by the PTA do not generate the income to offset non-budgetary expenses, then certain guidelines should be followed for the payment of registration fees.
The ministry said that, for all nursery schools, parents should not pay more than $2,500 per year; primary schools not more than $3,000; secondary schools not more than $5,000 and not more than $8,000 for National Secondary Schools.
“These sums were carefully considered for all non-budgetary costs and, as such, no additional request must be made from parents. 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. Parents of nursery children should not be issued with any list of supplies to be purchased,” the ministry warned.
The ministry took the opportunity to remind the public that the sums mentioned are the maximum limits for each level and can be lowered.
“You are also to ensure that the membership of your PTA is also made aware of this circular, which is crucial to its functioning. The Executive Committee members should also affix their signatures as having seen and read,” the release advised.
