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“The headmaster and his SDC expected us to take the budget as it is but we cannot do that and that is the reason we walked out. That budget had a lot of loopholes and we could not endorse it,” fumed one parent.
According to the school’s 2012 budget statement, a copy of which is in Chronicle’s possession, parents had three options on proposed increases.
The budget proposed to increase levies from last year’s $35 to $50, $55 or $90 per term.
For Grade Zero classes the budget proposed $103, $108 and $113 per term while teachers’ incentives were
proposed to increase from $10 to $30 per term.
The budget statement projected an annual revenue collection of over $300 000, which would mainly be used in infrastructure development and maintenance.
Among the priority areas was the payment of a $10 000 painting debt, increase of salaries for SDC members, purchasing of
25 new computers and maintenance of school assets.
The $10 000 debt was accrued during preparations for the school’s centenary celebrations late last year.
However, parents said the SDC was being overzealous and queried the authenticity of some of the proposed projects.
They also distanced themselves from the debt saying they knew nothing about it.
“As far as we are concerned, we do not know e at that figure,” said another parent.
The budget also proposes that the school buys laptops for the school administration, a move that parents described as “high handed” treachery.
They called for Government intervention saying the school was robbing them of their hard-earned cash.
The parents said they did not consider Wednesday’s meeting as credible.
They alleged that the SDC was abusing school funds and complained that the school was not producing good results.
Others said they were earning less and could not afford to meet the increased payment.
Contacted for comment, SDC chairman Mr Phikisani Siziba confirmed the development.
“Yes we had people walking out of the meeting and we made agreements with those that remained. We had proposed $50 but some parents disagreed and we ended up agreeing on $40. People always disagree and we cannot force things on them,” he said.
“It is true that Government warned schools against fee increases but as SDCs, we have the mandate to develop schools and
we cannot do that without the funds. The Government is protecting the parents but we need to strike a balance.”
The headmaster, Mr Petty Nyoni, could not be reached for comment.
On Tuesday, the Minister of Education, Sport, Arts and Culture, Senator David Coltart, warned schools against fee increases.
He said Cabinet had agreed that there should be no increases this term and that schools must stick to the gazetted levels.
Minister Coltart said schools intending to increase levies should do so in consultation with the ministry and parents.
Online Reporter