School fees, 'O' and 'A' Level exam fees go up

The Government has given State-run schools the green light to increase tuition fees for the first term of this year as part of efforts to cushion them from high operational costs.

Ordinary and Advanced Level examination fees have also been raised from US$10 to US$11 per subject and US$22 to US$24 per subject respectively.

Education, Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Senator David Coltart could not readily give the full schedule of the latest tuition charges.

He, however, said rural primary and secondary school fees were increased by US$5 and US$10 respectively.

He said his ministry took the decision because the education sector continues to be under-funded.

He said the increases would benefit pupils through improved education standards.
"We thought it was appropriate to increase the fees because the reasons the schools gave were justifiable," he said.

"Hence, we decided to approve the fees."

Senator Coltart said most schools that applied for the review cited plummeting learning and teaching standards, rising food prices and deteriorating school infrastructure.

He said his ministry was yet to receive applications from private schools.

"Non-governmental schools should submit their proposals to the permanent secretary.

"They can forward them to my office only if they are not satisfied with the secretary's response," he said.