By Loretta B Manele
Tozen Leokana, minister for the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development (MEHRD) advises education providers and schools to comply with regulations on school fee limits according to the Education Act 2023 and the Education Regulation 2024.
According to MEHRD, he gave this advice in light of concerns about the inconsistent charging of school fees from schools across the country.
Leokana said the ministry is aware of the complaints being raised by parents, guardians, and school fee-payers about the inconsistencies in school fees charged to students attending Primary Preparation Year (PPY), Primary and Secondary schools this academic year (2025).
He stated that all schools and education providers should seek advice from the ministry on school fee limits in accordance with Section 122 of the Education Act 2023 and Section 53 of the Education Regulations 2024.
The minister recognises that parents and guardians continue to face financial hardships when it comes to school fees especially those coming from rural settlements.
“However, parents experiencing financial hardship with school fee payment may approach their school to seek alternative ways to pay school fees as stipulated in Sections 56, 57 and 58 of the Education Regulation 2024”
Leokana wishes to make it clear that MEHRD has made a decision to maintain the school fee limits to be charged to students attending primary and secondary schools.
According to Section 53 of the Education Regulations 2024, the maximum amount of school fees that may be charged for students for a year are as follows: Maximum fee for day students at an urban school for primary education is $1,200, for junior secondary education it is $2,000 and for senior secondary school it is $4,000.
As for maximum fee for day students at a non-urban school; for primary education, it is $250, junior secondary education, it is $800 and for senior secondary school, it is $3,000.
Meanwhile, maximum fee for boarding students at an urban school and non-urban schools for primary education has no costs.
In terms of maximum fee for boarding students at an urban school for junior secondary education, it is $4,500 and for senior secondary school, it is $9000.
In relation, maximum fee for boarding students at a non-urban school for junior secondary education, the cost is $2,800 and for senior secondary school the cost is $7,200.
Also mentioned is that no other fees or levies of any kind may be charged for the enrolment or attendance of a student at a school and no other types of fees should be included in the above school fees.
MEHRD stated that this directive on school fees is non-negotiable and education providers and school principals are advised to comply.
To top that off, the ministry in its enforcement of the regulations on school fee limits, will conduct a spot check on schools to ensure that they comply with the Education Regulations 2024.
“Any school that does not comply with these regulations will be forced to comply with the school fee regulations or may not receive the general grant for the school for the following year unless the ministry is satisfied with appropriate steps taken by the school to prevent any further contravention of Section 53 of the Education Regulations 2024, except for self-funded schools and ECE Centres
A self-funded school is a school that is not subject to the school fee limits imposed by the Education Regulations because the Education Provider decided to charge fess levels that are beyond those limits. Such schools do not receive school grants and government does not pay for their teacher salaries”.
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