WALE CALLS FOR MORE ON SCHOOL FEE POLICY

Leader of Opposition Hon. Matthew Wale cautions the government not to make a lip service policy on the issue of school fees for the 2021 academic year.

The call followed the announcement made by the Ministry of Education and Human Resources saying, the government will soon be issuing policy directives to Education Authorities and schools to address the predicament faced by parents in meeting school fee commitments in the 2021 academic year.

“While I welcome this measure, it is clear and for obvious reasons, some schools are already standing their ground in demanding payment of school fees for the 2021 academic and those outstanding for 2020.

“We have to understand that schools need money to reopen and operate. The school fees policy must address that need head-on. Advisories from the government are simply inadequate,” says Hon. Wale.

The Opposition Leader however points out that this has been a serious concern for parents and guardians for some time and now with schools still maintaining their stance, the situation may now give rise to unwanted decisions being made and outcomes affecting the education of our children.

“These are difficulties that should have been foreseen and could have been averted had the government taken action much earlier.

“Also, if the policy is really intended to address the problems, it must be accompanied by tangible steps put in place to secure the required level of financial support.

“Anything less may well be counter-productive only adding to a situation that is already untenable for all concerned.

“I therefore call on the government to also take the required steps now that the announcement has been made, to ensure that all our children continue their education in 2021 without any more hick-ups.

“I call on the government to make this issue a priority and make available the necessary financial support,” the Opposition Leader further adds.

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