The Education Ministry says principals of Government and Government-Assisted Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Centres, Primary and Secondary Schools have been told to desist from the practice of requesting contributions from parents during the registration of new students.

In a statement, it says while there are no registration fees associated with these schools, a practice has developed, over many years, of asking parents to donate or contribute to the school at registration.

The Ministry adds that while such contributions are helpful, requesting donations or contributions during the registration period has had, over time, the effect of making what should be voluntary, seem mandatory.

It warns that this perception effectively nullifies the Government’s policy, which is to offer free education to all students registered at public ECCE, Primary and Secondary Schools.

The Ministry says principals have been advised that these two processes are to be delinked with immediate effect.

As such, no school contribution is to be requested of parents at the registration of new students in Government or Government-assisted ECCE, Primary and Secondary schools.

The Ministry also states, “Outside of the registration period, Principals may, from time to time, request of parents voluntary contributions for school initiatives. Parents that can respond fully or partially to these calls for support are encouraged to do so, however, Principals are guided that no student or parent is to be discriminated against based on their ability to respond to such requests.”