Don’t collect fees, schools told

 By TONY PALME KIP  

SCHOOLS in Central’s Abau district have been advised to refrain from collecting project fees as it would be against the direction from the Education Secretary.

Abau MP and Public Service Minister Sir Puka Temu warned school boards and heads not to charge any project fees on students and parents because it would be illegal.

“The Government is giving a lot of money to the individual schools and there would be no reason for schools to charge any project fees,” Sir Puka said.

He added that schools should be responsible for how these funds should be used for the greatest benefit.

“If in the case that they run short of money to implement special projects, they must provide the district development authority (DDA) with project proposals,” Sir Puka said.

“The DDA will then sit down, have a meeting, look through the proposal thoroughly and decide on a funding allocation.

“The DDA is the authority in the district that schools should consider making their needs known for funding purposes under the special DSIP grants.

“There is no way students will be turned away from classes if they fail to pay project fees.

“They would deprive the rights of students to education opportunities if they do  charge project fees.  

He said the DDA would have its first meeting in two weeks at Kelera village and announce the projects to be rolled out in the district.