National Parents Association is calling on all parents whose children are supposed to join Form 1 on January 15, 2024, to make sure that all children turn up and report to school without failure.
National Parents Association Chairperson Silas Obuhatsa has said that parents should ensure their children meant to join Form 1 report to their schools without failure. The NPA boss noted that most parents are struggling financially and therefore, issues related to paying fees are a burden to them.
“It’s their high expectations that principals will understand the harsh economic climate and receive all children with or without fees during Form 1 admission,” he added.
Obuhatsa said parents look forward to school managers receiving their children, guiding and supporting them well to quickly settle down and start classes. He said parents should prepare their children for admission and pay fees as well as purchase all school requirements to avoid last-minute rush.
The Chairperson also said school managers should also confirm with their various accounts if the government capitation funds have arrived and plan well on how to use them to avoid confrontation with the government when it comes to auditing.
“The government has released a lot of money to schools in terms of capitation funds and CDF to help reduce the fee burden for the poor parents,” he said.
He termed the move by the government to release capitation as a true sign that shows the State is committed to supporting its citizens to acquire education.
He further reminded parents that school heads cannot run the institutions without money. “Therefore, we are urging all parents with fee balances to visit schools and pay their pending balances or make arrangements with Principals on how the balances will be paid,” he said.
“School managers should try very hard to make sure that in case of fees increase, parents are fully involved to avoid bad blood between school managements and parents.”
By Lean Simatwa