Petrina Francis, Education Reporter
DISGRUNTLED PARENTS of children enrolled at some Corporate Area high schools are angry with school administrators for hiking miscellaneous fees for the September term, even doubling them in some instances.
Their grouse is that although the Government has lifted some of the burden by allowing them to pay only half of their children's school fee for the 2005/06 academic year, it has not made a difference, because they are now forced to pay the extra money in other fees which the schools mandate.
"Quite a number of parents have been complaining, particularly the traditional schools in Kingston and St. Andrew," said Dorrett Campbell, director of communications in the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture.
Ms. Campbell noted that the parents with whom she spoke are not opposed to paying a fee, but are complaining that the fees that the schools are asking for are too high.
She cited a case whereby one parent was requesting a transfer for her child, because of the exorbitant fees that she was asked to pay.
"Quite frankly, I deplore the registration fee, I don't see why children should earn a place and then have to pay a registration fee," Ms. Campbell said.
SOME GENUINELY CANNOT AFFORD IT
She noted that while she understands that the principals have to run the school efficiently and there may be added costs, there are parents who genuinely cannot afford it and "we hope that principals use their discretion."
A parent whose child attends Meadowbrook High School, said that it is unfair that the fees have been increased.
Contacted yesterday, Winsome Reid, principal of Meadowbrook High School told The Gleaner that the school had to increase the fees because of increased operational costs. She said the fees were $4,000 last year and have been increased to $6,000 for the September academic year. Students in first form are required to pay $7, 000.
Mrs. Reid explained that the money covers the cost for identification cards, physical education gear, lab fees, security and coache and umpire fees.
The Gleaner also understands that students at Kingston College are required to pay $8,000 in auxiliary fees, up from $4,000 last year and $4,000 for school fees. Auxiliary fees were $4,000 last year.
Meanwhile Ruel Reid, incoming president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, said his organisation is aware of the complaints. (But) "We are not going to object to that (the increase of the fees) and I always advocate that schools should be properly financed and where the Government cannot fund the schools fully, the stakeholders should meet and see how it can be financed," he said.
