The administration of Lwala Primary School in Warr Town Council, Zombo District, is facing widespread criticism after reportedly barring 159 Primary One pupils from sitting their promotional exams due to unpaid examination fees.
Reports indicate that out of the 226 Primary One pupils enrolled at the school, only 67 were allowed to sit for the exams, while the rest were excluded for failing to pay. The exact amount charged per pupil remains unclear.
The issue came to light during an impromptu inspection by councillors under the district’s Committee of Social Services earlier this week.
Sadiki Onencan, Chairperson of the Social Services Committee, expressed dismay over the incident, calling it both disappointing and detrimental to the affected pupils’ futures.
“The committee has now directed the school authorities to conduct fresh examinations for the affected learners,” Onencan stated.
The committee attributed the incident to a lack of compromise between parents and school authorities regarding the payment of fees.
Parents Speak Out
Parents have criticised the school administration for imposing multiple fees on families, many of whom are struggling financially.
A parent identified only as Agenonga lamented,
“There are too many fees—exam fees, mock fees, development fees, PTA fees. It’s overwhelming, especially for poor parents.”
Another parent, Agness Acikani, added,
“Sometimes they introduce additional fees abruptly, and it’s difficult for us to meet these demands.”
Philip Kwonga, whose child was among those affected, suggested a more lenient approach.
“They should have allowed our children to sit the exams and let us clear the fees when collecting results,” he reasoned.
Official Reaction
Zombo District Education Officer Nicolas Odeba condemned the school’s actions, stating they violated the Education Act and government policies.
“The government provides capitation grants for all learners in government-aided schools, which should cover essential assessments for pupils, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds,” Odeba explained.
Assistant Resident District Commissioner Bruno Manano threatened legal action against school administrators found engaging in such practices.
“Blocking learners from exams due to unpaid fees is illegal and unacceptable. Arrests will be made where necessary,” he warned.
School Perspective
Despite these warnings, some school administrators argue that capitation grants are insufficient to cover all school expenses, forcing them to introduce additional fees to sustain operations.
Policy Stance
The government has consistently opposed the exclusion of learners from exams due to unpaid fees. Instead, authorities recommend withholding results until dues are settled.
Broader Implications
The incident has reignited debates on the adequacy of government funding for schools and the fairness of additional fees, particularly for families living in poverty. Stakeholders have called for more comprehensive solutions to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Efforts to obtain a response from Lwala Primary School’s administration were unsuccessful at the time of publication.
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