Education Ministry meets with Mae’s private school on proposed fee increases

The Education Ministry's team was led by the Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson and comprised of the Ministry's Legal Officer, Kellyanne Payne-Hercules along with Ms. Doodmattie Singh, MoE Private School Coordinator and National Parent Teachers Association Coordinator Ms. Nadia Hollingsworth.

Education Ministry meets with Mae’s private school on proposed fee increases

In wake of protests by parents of children who attend the Mae’s private school over proposed increases in school fees, a team from the Ministry of Education met with the management of Mae’s School to discuss the proposed school fees hike.

The Education Ministry’s team was led by the Chief Education Officer Marcel Hutson and comprised of the Ministry’s Legal Officer, Kellyanne Payne-Hercules along with Ms. Doodmattie Singh, MoE Private School Coordinator and National Parent Teachers Association Coordinator Ms. Nadia Hollingsworth.

Representing Mae’s were the Acting Administrator Ms. Lucinda Mc Curdy, Director for Primary, Megan Archer, and  Deputy Director for Primary Shaundell Beckles.

According to the Ministry, “the two sides met and had a fruitful discourse with a view of arriving at resolution that is acceptable to the school and parents of children at the early possible time”.

In two weeks the two sides are to meet again on the way forward.

Parents of the school protested yesterday saying that they were blindsided by the increases which range from 25% to 42%.  The parents were informed of the new fee structure as the school was closing for the easter holidays. The new fees took effect from Monday, when the school reopened its doors.

Many of the parents said it is unbelievable that the same administrators who stood with them to fight the Government’s value added tax on private school fees, are now pushing for increases that triple the government’s tax, which was eventually withdrawn.

The parents are also not pleased that the school’s administration has not been meeting with them on the issue.

You must be logged in to post a comment Login