News / Local
Falcon College demands collateral for unpaid fees
20 Jan 2016 at 00:18hrs | Views
ONE of the country's elite and prestigious schools, Falcon College, is allegedly demanding collateral from parents failing to raise school fees in time for the start of the new term.
The school - located in Esigodini - has allegedly insisted that children who have not paid up will not be allowed into its premises.
Some children have been turned away with the school refusing to agree on payment plans with parents while demanding collateral.
With school fees pegged at $4,100 per term, parents have said the figure is very high.
The school demands anything as collateral as long as its value is equivalent to the money owed and the property may be sold if the debt is not settled.
"My son was turned away because I hadn't paid his fees in full. They instead asked for some collateral so my husband had to put up his motor cycle as collateral. They've simply said no full payment, no school. Some children whose parents didn't have any collateral have been turned away," said one parent who spoke on condition of anonymity.
She said $4,100 was a large amount considering the school did not offer specialised services.
"The school makes millions per term but we don't know where that money is going. For example, my son has been having a difficult time with the menu which doesn't have a broad range of options.
"I know for sure the teachers there are not paid much so I really don't know where the money is going," fumed another parent.
He said the school had made it clear that it is a business first.
"We've been told that Falcon College is a business which needs to make money first. But think of all the millions they're making per term.
"If about 600 pupils pay $4,100 per term it means the school makes about $2,5 million each term but where is all that money going?" asked the parent.
Efforts to get a comment from Falcon College director of administration Andrew Thompson were fruitless as he had not responded to questions sent to him as requested, by email, on Monday.
Falcon Foundation chief executive officer John McTaggart declined to comment saying he was not responsible for the day to day administration of the school.
"Mr Thompson is in Harare for some business there, until he gets back — I'm unable to help you unfortunately," said McTaggart.
The school - located in Esigodini - has allegedly insisted that children who have not paid up will not be allowed into its premises.
Some children have been turned away with the school refusing to agree on payment plans with parents while demanding collateral.
With school fees pegged at $4,100 per term, parents have said the figure is very high.
The school demands anything as collateral as long as its value is equivalent to the money owed and the property may be sold if the debt is not settled.
"My son was turned away because I hadn't paid his fees in full. They instead asked for some collateral so my husband had to put up his motor cycle as collateral. They've simply said no full payment, no school. Some children whose parents didn't have any collateral have been turned away," said one parent who spoke on condition of anonymity.
She said $4,100 was a large amount considering the school did not offer specialised services.
"I know for sure the teachers there are not paid much so I really don't know where the money is going," fumed another parent.
He said the school had made it clear that it is a business first.
"We've been told that Falcon College is a business which needs to make money first. But think of all the millions they're making per term.
"If about 600 pupils pay $4,100 per term it means the school makes about $2,5 million each term but where is all that money going?" asked the parent.
Efforts to get a comment from Falcon College director of administration Andrew Thompson were fruitless as he had not responded to questions sent to him as requested, by email, on Monday.
Falcon Foundation chief executive officer John McTaggart declined to comment saying he was not responsible for the day to day administration of the school.
"Mr Thompson is in Harare for some business there, until he gets back — I'm unable to help you unfortunately," said McTaggart.
Source - chronicle
