ST-MARYS’ K10, 000 PROJECT FEE TOO EXPENSIVE - NAQUEZ
THE K10, 000 project fee demanded from each pupil by St Marys Secondary school management towards the construction of the K 4 million classroom block is unjustifiable and should be reviewed, says National Action for Quality Education in Zambia executive director Aaron Chansa.
Mr Chansa described the project fee by the Catholic school as astronomical and mindboggling saying education should not only be a prerequisite for the rich.
He said the project fee should be reduced because parents were already faced with many economic challenges such as settling school fees and that the project fee was an unnecessary burden.
But Ministry of General Education Permanent Secretary Henry Tukombe said the ministry was engaged on the matter and approved K10, 000 as the project fee but advised the Parent Teacher Committee (PTC) and parents to agree on a flexible payment plan.
Mr Tukombe, who was represented by ministry spokesperson Nondo Chilongo said government was aware that certain parents were unable to pay K 10,000 at once hence need for a flexible payment plan.
“That K10, 000 as project fee is astronomical and looking at our economy and the many challenges that parents are facing such as school fees and other bills, it is not feasible. As NAQUEZ we urge the school management to reduce the project fee,” Mr Chansa said.
The non-governmental organisation said government should re-evaluate the matter saying such a move was defeating its efforts of providing sustainable education to everyone in line with the Seventh National Development Plan (7NDP).
PTC chairperson Mabvuso Sinda said 90 pupils out of the expected 125 grade eight pupils had reported to school and that no pupil had been turned away for non-payment of the project fee expected to be paid this year.