Parents protest extra lesson fees

Parents at Houghton Park Primary School have raised concerns over alleged compulsory extra lessons, high charges, and the treatment of learners, including Early Childhood Development (ECD) pupils who they say are being unfairly affected by the arrangement.

Some teachers at the school are reportedly earning up to US$700 per month in additional income from extra lessons, separate from their official salaries, according to complaints raised by parents.

The Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education has confirmed that it has received the grievances and has launched investigations into the matter.

Director of Communications and Advocacy in the ministry, Taungana Ndoro, said authorities are now looking into the allegations.

"We received complaints from Houghton Park Primary School parents about the extra lessons being carried out by teachers. We have since sent a team for investigations and we are expecting to receive their report," he said.

Parents allege that extra lessons, along with additional charges such as US$10 for homework books and US$15 for supplementary lessons, are placing an excessive financial burden on families already struggling to meet basic school fees.

In an open letter circulated by concerned parents, they accused some teachers of turning extra lessons into a commercial activity, arguing that participation was becoming effectively compulsory.

"For how long are we supposed to suffer in silence? This has gone too far," the letter reads.

"You are still selling homework books for US$10 and charging US$15 for ‘extra lessons,' on top of the school fees we are already paying. For what?"

Parents also raised concern over ECD learners, alleging that those not enrolled in extra lessons are being made to wait in the school yard after normal classes end, as transport arrangements reportedly require all learners to leave together.

"What is more disturbing and abusive is how they are keeping ECD learners hostage at the school, upon finishing their lessons, waiting to be collected together with their seniors by the drivers," one parent complained.

They further alleged that school supervisors have failed to intervene, with some accused of benefiting from the extra lessons arrangements.

The open letter also questioned the fairness of the system, arguing that children of parents who cannot afford the additional costs are being disadvantaged academically.

"The reality is that children whose parents cannot afford to pay for these unauthorised extra lessons are being left behind and ignored," the parents wrote.

"This is not fair. Many of us brought our children to this school precisely because we cannot afford expensive fees elsewhere, yet you are still finding ways to make us pay more."

Parents also raised concerns about communication transparency, saying that extra lessons and related charges were not properly disclosed through official school channels.

"We already asked for a meeting with the Headmaster, but nothing has been done and our concerns continue to be ignored," the letter added.

The controversy has also sparked broader debate on academic performance, with parents questioning the value of the extra lessons in light of recent Grade 7 pass rates at the school.

In response to the complaints, the Ministry has indicated that findings from its investigation will determine the next course of action as scrutiny of extra lessons in public schools continues to intensify.