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Sukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
CHIEFS in Mangwe and Bulilima Districts have called on school authorities to desist from sending home pupils over unpaid fees.
The chiefs said many parents were struggling to raise money because of drought.In separate interviews, Chief Bango of Mangwe and his Bulilima counterpart, Chief Mpini said schools in their areas were sending home pupils who had not paid fees. Schools opened yesterday for the third term.
Chief Bango urged education authorities to tightly monitor schools that have a tendency of sending pupils home over fees.
“I am always receiving reports from parents each and every term who will be complaining that schools are not being lenient to their children over late payment of schools fees. Pupils are sent home every term over unpaid tuition, levies, civics money and other special levies that schools charge.
“The Government regulations state that pupils should not be sent home over unpaid fees and relevant authorities should ensure that this is also enforced in rural schools,” he said.
Chief Bango said a number of villagers were struggling to fend for their families because they did not harvest much in the last farming season.
“As a result of this misfortune some families are genuinely failing to pay fees for their children on time but children have to learn so that their future is not destroyed,” he said.
“However, it is also important for parents to prioritise the education of their children even when facing financial challenges. Instead of directing the little they get towards feeding their families they have to reserve some of the money for their children’s education.”
Chief Mpini lamented lack of commitment by pupils to their studies.
He described the education of children as crucial to the community’s development.
“Our children seem to display a lot of commitment in their school work while they are at primary level. Once they reach secondary level most of them show little interest in their studies, said Chief Mpini.
Online Reporter