The controversial decision is in line with the government directive last year that sought to exempt all teachers’ children in government schools from paying fees. According to council reports, the Council Education Section asked schools to provide the number of children to benefit. “It was recommended that the exemption be implemented from Term 1, 2010, this would enable the process to be better managed,” said a council representative.
Currently, 464 children in council schools are to be exempted from fees which are pegged at US$5 and US$10 per child per term. The council stands to lose US$2 395 00 in revenue. In July last year, the government issued a ministerial statement instructing all schools to exempt children whose parents were teachers from paying fees. It was part of an incentive for teachers to remain in the country.