Windhoek
Some parents whose children attend Windhoek High School (WHS) claim the school is compelling them to contribute to the School Development Fund (SDF), a policy that was recently abolished by the government in all public schools.
Parents, who declined to be named for fear of victimisation of their children, told New Era that the school informed them that it is compulsory to settle an amount of N$6 000 as SDF.
To make matters worse, parents are angry that the school, which is regarded as one of the best government schools in Windhoek, is apparently threatening that learners who did not contribute to the SDF would not be allowed to attend the highly anticipated matric farewell scheduled to take place later this year.
One of the concerned parents said the school is only willing to negotiate if parents come up with a minimum amount of N$4 200 before their children can participate in the year-end function.
Contacted for comment yesterday, Minister of Education, Arts and Culture Katrina Hanse-Himarwa was not pleased by the news that some public schools continue to defy government’s directive to offer free secondary education.
Last year, government issued a directive that as of 2016, secondary schooling would be offered completely free of charge at all public schools. As per Cabinet resolution, the compulsory payment of SDF fees in secondary schools was abolished as from this year.
She warned that schools compelling parents to pay SDF should desist from such practices, saying there should be a “gentlemanly agreement and voluntary contribution” from parents, where necessary.
Further, she said, if schools compel parents and end up punishing learners for not paying SDF, it becomes problematic. The minister said government policies are patently clear and need to be complied with by all state schools.
She said no school should demand compulsory fees from parents, given that government policies and the Constitution prohibit this.
“As much as we’re saying, education is free and there are no development funds – that used to be there – parents must still feel obliged to support schools, seeing the allocation we are making will never be enough for all activities they want to engage in.
“And on that score we’re saying there should be a smart partnership agreement between the schools and parents that they must voluntarily continue to support the schools, but it should not be a compulsory thing that people are compelled to pay,” she noted. The WHS matric farewell is also said to have an additional fee of N$750, payable at the latest by August 18 by all learners who wish to attend.
“Windhoek High School instructed learners to pay a minimum of N$4 600. The learners are being told that if Grade 12 learners did not settle their fees, then they will not be allowed to participate in the matric farewell. I even went to the school on Wednesday to ask for an extension, because I did not plan for that, nor do I have that kind of money. It’s very unfair for us,” complained a parent whose child is in Grade 12.
On the issue of matric farewell, the education minister said there is no provision that makes it compulsory.
“This matric farewell thing is not a policy issue. There is no provision that compels schools or parents to hold a matric farewell. They must desist [from charging the parents]. It’s not good for the schools, the government and the parents. There should be a smart partnership to propel education.
“When schools are compelling parents to pay, that is already souring their relationship. And equally, when schools are disobeying government laws, then they are souring the relationship with the ministry,” she pointed out.
Another parent said they understand that the needs of the school in terms of maintenance cannot be fully catered by the funds allocated by government, but felt that parents should not be forced to pay such huge amounts.
“They should find other means to compensate for that through raffles and bazaars, but not by forcing us (parents) against the will of the government to pay that amount. We want answers as to why the principal is making it compulsory. One is also afraid not to pay, because my child will be victimised,” said one parent.
Principal Hawie Engels was not available for comment at the time of going to press and messages sent to his phone went unanswered yesterday.