Higher school fees ‘hit poor’

THE Namibia National Students Organisation (Nanso) says increased fees are making some schools more socially exclusive.

In a press release last week, the student organisation complained that school fee requirements may limit access to education in Namibia. “In some schools, students are chased back home for not paying their school fees and for not wearing full school uniform,” Nanso’s Secretary General Neville Andre charged.He said these cases arise because some schools do not take into consideration a pupil’s socio-economic background.But Andre added that Government and teachers are not solely to blame as some parents fail to put their children’s education at the top of their priority lists.In a recent interview with the national broadcaster, NBC, Basic Education Minister John Mutorwa stressed that no school is allowed to turn away children whose parents cannot afford to pay school fees.- Nampa”In some schools, students are chased back home for not paying their school fees and for not wearing full school uniform,” Nanso’s Secretary General Neville Andre charged. He said these cases arise because some schools do not take into consideration a pupil’s socio-economic background. But Andre added that Government and teachers are not solely to blame as some parents fail to put their children’s education at the top of their priority lists. In a recent interview with the national broadcaster, NBC, Basic Education Minister John Mutorwa stressed that no school is allowed to turn away children whose parents cannot afford to pay school fees. – Nampa