BUT Belinda Wilson Speak Out Over School Fees

Mon, Sep 22nd 2008, 12:00 AM

President of the Bahamas Union of Teachers (BUT) Belinda Wilson has taken exception to remarks made by the Minister of Education Carl Bethel that all public school students must be allowed to attend school even if certain fees are not paid.

Wilson said yesterday that the fees are not registration fees, but are needed to pay for students' neckties, crests, physical education uniforms, identification cards and medical insurance.

"The BUT is aware that in accordance with the Education Act public education is free for all," she said. "However, it is a long-standing practice, which all officers of the Ministry and Department of Education are aware of. Certainly the principals and administrators will not turn away students but on the other hand, they cannot offer these items free as the government has never made provisions in the budget to purchase the same," Wilson explained.

Recently, Minister Bethel directed all public school principals and administrators to accept, register and enroll all students who are entitled to attend their schools regardless of their inability to pay the requested fees. He also said Acting Director of Education Lionel Sands had been requested to liaise with all district superintendents and to personally ensure that the directive is strictly enforced.

As a result of Bethel's remarks, Wilson said she intends to put BUT's concerns in writing to the minister and suggested that he exercise diplomacy in future matters of this nature.

"The minister's public announcement was unnecessary at this time with the existing chaos surrounding the opening of schools for the 2008/2009 school year. A waiting period to determine the extent to which this action has disenfranchised any student and an accurate count of the number of students affected would have revealed the accurate figures. These figures in turn could have been used to verify the reasons given, provide a reflection on the number of students affected and facilitate an orderly resolution to any outstanding issues that may have also affected registration of students," Wilson said.

President of The Primary Principals' Association Wenly Fowler and President of The Secondary Principals' Association Abraham Stubbs also addressed the issue yesterday, assuring that they are committed to following the law.

"Recent reports in the media may have given the impression that public schools have become more concerned with finances rather than students' education. This is not the case. It never was and never will be," the statement said.

"The fact is many administrators and teachers make frequent and personal sacrifices to ensure that children have the resources to function in the classroom. There are many children who attend school without lunch, and other basic needs/materials that will enable them to function during the school day. Administrators and teachers often - and without fanfare - put their hands in their usually shallow pockets to assist these students."

The statement said the issue of registration fees has become a distraction from the launch of an otherwise effective school year.

"We would rather there be more attention focused on how we can get parents to partner with us (the schools) and establish relationships that will maximize the success of our children and the building of their character," it added.

"The matter of a basic registration fee must not overshadow all the good that we are doing in education, in public schools throughout our country. It must not cause a divide between parents and the schools, or seek to impugn the name and of principals and administrators throughout the educational system."

The statement added that the practice of schools charging a registration fee for basic costs of physical education kits, school crests, workbooks, insurance and lab fees has been a practice in public schools for many years.

"Parents have seen this practice as reasonable, and have been very cooperative in complying with schools in this regard," it said. "This, however, must not be the basis of denying our children entry into school. As administrators, we are committed to upholding all laws and regulations governing the operation of public schools in The Bahamas."

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