Minister urges parents not to pay Fibos contribution

Education, Science and Culture Minister Lilian Ferrier urges parents whose children are enrolled at one of the nation’s religious schools not to pay the parent contribution. The nation’s religious schools are represented by the umbrella organization, Fibos. The Education minister explained that certain things such as the state subsidy were discussed and agreed upon in July 2019. While parties are still busy discussing the matter, the Fibos sent a letter with demands that the ministry had to meet on August 1. One of the demands was that the subsidy that the government owed the Fibos member schools had to be paid. The ministry paid SRD 1.4 million on August 2. “It hurt me very much when parents and children told me on August 6 that the Fibos is demanding a contribution of SRD 250 for the new school year,” said Minister Ferrier. The government reportedly wants to revise the subsidy policy of 1939. “It is extremely important for us to do things differently. The ministry pays a lot of money for all the schools. In the past year we paid about SRD 306 million in subsidy to Fibos. The minister criticized the Fibos schools for compelling students to pay for copies although they have received state subsidy. The Fibos schools reportedly have to send their financial records to the ministry every semester. The minister is puzzled by the fact that the government also has to pay copy expenses. “There is no transparency. I hereby urge parents not to pay the parent contribution until things are crystal clear.”