The price of education

Letters

Schools resumed last week, so yesterday, I took my son to enrol him into preparatory class at one of the primary schools here in Hohola, NCD.
We spent the whole of last week shopping for his stationary and uniforms.
Excited, he did not get a good night’s rest, and woke me up at 5am.
There was already a crowd with continuing students, transfers and those who were repeating classes.
We went into the assembly area to seek assistance for a placing.
Before we reached the administration building, a gentleman approached us and asked if we needed help.
I obliged.
He introduced himself as a top-up (upper grades 6-7-8) teacher and insisted on helping us.
Knowing my son was going to elementary and here a senior teacher helping us out, what could go wrong?
Then came the bombshell.
He asked for a betel nut: I gave him five.
After beating around the bush for a minute or two, he told me that to secure a space, I had to give K100 as lunch money to whichever elementary teacher he would deal with to enrol my child.
He also wanted me to “appreciate him” for facilitating my son’s enrolment.
I calculated what he just said at around K200.
Preferring to make my child’s first day at school a successful one, I decided to pay him what he was asking for, having in mind that I already spent close to K700 to get him ready for school.
What transpired yesterday involving the enrolment of my five-year-old son defeats outright the Government’s tuition fee free policy.
I know for sure that this practice is happening throughout city schools.|
I only feel for those that are unfortunate or low income earners.
One can only wonder if there is any command and control in the system, especially in schools.
It is my plea to education authorities to talk to school principals and boards to discourage such practices.
Otherwise, we are still paying for our children’s education, and the TFF policy is yet to fulfil its intended purpose.
Over to you guys up there.

Poket Buruk
Hohola