KU parents decry examination fees

Concerned parents and guardians in Traditional Authority (T/A) Kawamba in Kasungu have expressed concern over examination fees that primary school pupils are being asked to pay, saying they are hindering pupils from writing exams.

In an interview on Friday at the Boma, Nthunduwala Ward councillor Fyson Chezani said parents and guardians complained to him of the examination fees, wondering why they have to pay when primary education is free.

“As a councillor who represents them, I thought it wise to make this concern known. Although at K300 the fee is not too high, not all the parents and guardians in rural areas can afford to pay, especially those that have several children to pay for,” he said.

Kasungu district education manager (DEM) Rocky Hausi said this was news to him as he was not aware that some pupils are not allowed to write examination for failing  to pay the examinations fee.

He said: “What I know is that some primary schools agreed to be paying an examination fee towards the end of each term for the cost of printing, but this was supposed to be on agreement with the headteacher and school management committee. So it surprising that the same parents who agreed to be paying the fee are now complaining about it.”

Hausi said his office addressed head teachers from all zones to follow procedures when introducing any fees and they will, therefore, set up an investigation to resolve the issue.

In most primary schools in both rural and urban areas of the country, parents are asked to pay different amounts for examination fees for administrative work.