The cost of Jamaica’s ‘free’ education.

Is free education a reality in Jamaica?

Well, recently a parent from a prominent high school in Kingston, showed me a text message sent from the school to parents which stated that only those students who have paid their school fees will be allowed to sit internal examinations in June.

That means that a student who had attended classes all year would now be prevented from sitting their internal assessment because of their parents’ inability to pay school fees.

There have also been situations where schools withhold examination results or recommendations if there are outstanding fees.

At the high school level, students are also barred from school trips if they have not paid the insurance portion of auxiliary fees.

The reasoning has been that if they are taken on a trip outside of the school and they are in need of medical attention, they would not be covered by the school’s insurance plan.

Free at a Cost?

The official policy of The Ministry of Education is that no child can be turned away from any public school because of inability to pay fees.

The problem is that schools struggle to pay their bills and improve their facilities with the money they get from the government.  They need the auxiliary fees.

Students also receive books at no cost from the government on the book programme however there are other textbooks that are assigned to the subject area that can cost thousands.

Solution

In my humble opinion, there is a dilemma as schools likely would face closure if no fees were paid. On the other hand, every student has the right to an education.

It might be a situation where those who can pay should pay the fees.

There has to be a case by case examination before decisions can be made about who can afford the fees or not.

I suppose that involves a detailed investigation that might put a strain on the school’s resources but it is something to consider.

In the meantime, parents must make determined efforts to communicate their difficulties to the school’s administration and make arrangements to pay what is owed so as not to hinder their children’s academic development.

What’s your take on the ‘free’ education that is offered to Jamaican children?

Drop me a line below.

Teri Ann Renee Paisley

Gleaner online writer

Tags: school fees