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Schools warned about soliciting monies from parents

Jun 01, 2013 News

The Ministry of Education has received numerous complaints from parents regarding the amount of money requested by teachers and Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs) for various school activities.
The Ministry has issued a circular to all schools in Guyana. It is signed by the Chief Education Officer (CEO), Mr. Olato Sam, requiring teachers to read and affix their signatures to the document, which states clearly the policy of the MOE regarding the soliciting of monies from parents and students.
Parents, the MOE stated, are requested from time to time to supply schools with toilet paper, soap, hand towels, paper for typing and printing exam papers, etc. Parents especially those who have more than one child attending schools are of the view that the demands are unrealistic and also add to their financial burdens.
The MOE was informed that some school administrators are denying students their legitimate right to write End-of-Term exams, National Grade Nine Assessment Exams and Regional Exams because the students did not contribute cash.
The MOE, in a strongly worded circular, stated that “No head teacher, member of the staff or PTA is authorized to charge parents specific sums for any test or end-of-term examination papers. Such funds, it stated, can be raised through various fundraising activities, for example, cake sales and fairs, but should not be solicited directly from the parents.
Also the MOE, added that no head teacher or member of staff is authorized to request parents to supply schools with toilet tissue, soap, paper for printing, etc. and that donations to the school whether cash or kind must be entered in the school’s inventory or stock book, whichever is appropriate. Kaieteur News understands that schools are supplied by their respective Regional Democratic Councils with those materials on a term basis.
Head teachers indulging in acts that contravene the MOE policy will be placed before the Disciplinary Committee of the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) and any Education Officer found guilty of condoning the head teachers’ illegal behaviour will also face disciplinary action by the Public Service Commission (PSC).
Additionally, the MOE is also warning schools against overcharging parents for graduation fees and gowns during graduation exercises. “The MOE has received numerous complaints from parents, regarding the amount of money requested by teachers and PTAs for various school- based activities, specifically the cost of graduation exercises.” Students, who do not pay, it stated, are barred from participating in the exercise in some schools.
Schools should not charge in excess of $3,000 and the MOE even encouraged that the amount be lowered. Students are also encouraged to wear their respective uniforms for the graduation and that no student is required to rent or pay for caps, gowns for the event. If so, the costs should be borne by the schools.
No student, it stated, should be barred from graduating because he or she did not pay money for gowns, or caps.

 

 

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