Schools warned about charging exorbitant auxiliary fees

THE Ministry of Education is advising all high schools that there should be no increase in the auxiliary contributions which students paid last year.

In addition, auxiliary contributions are not mandatory and therefore no student should be excluded for non-payment of such fees, the ministry said.

The warning comes after reports that some schools have been charging parents often exorbitant fees, even though the Government abolished tuition fees.

“The ministry also wants to make it clear that it does not support the practice of exorbitant fees being charged for registration packages. Fees such as those for identification cards, insurance, uniform and other related items should be passed on at a cost from the providers to the parents, but must be clearly stated and identified,” the ministry said.

“Where auxiliary contributions are for special development projects, these must be clearly identified and not included in registration fees.”

The ministry said projects to be funded must be placed on the agenda of the PTA and discussed so that parents are aware of the projects to which they are making their contributions.

Meanwhile, the ministry said regarding tuition fees for the new school year, the per capita amount has been increased and the first tranche of 50 per cent of the total fees payable will be disbursed in August.