DPP GOVT HIKES SCHOOL FEES IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOL

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) led government through Ministry of Education, Science and Technology will hike school fees in public secondary school effective from 4th January, 2016.

The development comes barely days after the government also hiked tuition fees at Domasi College of Education.

According to a statement made available to FaceofMalawi, the Ministry says the hike is aimed at improving the provision of various resources and services needed in the schools (improving the quality of education and service delivery).

“The revised fees to be paid termly include tuition fees set at (MK3,000), Textbook Revolving Fund (MK3,000), General Purpose Fund (GPF) (MK2,000), MCDE module fee (MK1,000) and Centre fee (MK7,000) for Open Secondary Schools and Development Fund (MK2,000) which in the past varied between different schools depending on the project being undertaken in a particular school. All these fees, except for tuition fees, shall be retained and used at the school,” reads in part the statement.

According to the statement the new fees will greatly assist schools to improve standards by providing adequate teaching and Learning materials to achieve the recommended pupil to textbook ratio of 1:1.

“Similarly, revision of MCDE module fee will help to meet realistic production costs. The increase of GPF will help improve student social welfare services and sanitary conditions in schools. All these will contribute to improved learning outcomes in public secondary schools,” reads the statement.

Coming to boarding fees, the Ministry says the fees has been adjusted upwards following concerns raised by parents over the increase in the price of goods and services on the open market.

“Current figures show that the real boarding cost per student is at least MK24, 000 per term. This shows that the current official boarding fees (MK1,500) being paid in the four National Government secondary schools are too low and unrealistic. The Ministry has therefore raised boarding fees to enable schools to run boarding facilities effectively and efficiently and also to bring about uniformity in fees charged across schools,” reads the statement.

Meanwhile the Ministry has urged all Public Secondary Schools in the country to adhere to the new government fees limits.