Windhoek school charging N$700 for placements

A DIRECTIVE by the Hochland High School in Windhoek for parents to pay N$700 for their children’s continued placement at the school next year, has ruffled feathers.

The school issued a letter, seen by , to parents and guardians on 11 November, informing them that no child will be allowed to progress to the next grade if the money is not paid.

According to a parent of three pupils at the school, they received the letter last Monday issued by the school’s principal, Ndamona Nehoya, saying that parents are to pay N$ 700 for each child when they submit their children’s request to transfer to the next grade next year.

The parent, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said despite the children having attended school there for years, parents still need to pay.

He said he feels like the school is strategically forcing them to pay.

A letter from the school that is in the possession of reads: “Please complete the form to confirm whether your child will attend Hochland High School in 2020. The form should be returned before 22 November 2019, with a parental contribution of N$ 700.”

The parent said he feels uneasy as the letter comes at very short notice.

“Even if it was to be a voluntary payment, it is still very short notice. They have not considered that government employees are only paid on the 30th of the month,” he added.

Last year, parents did not have to pay a fee to reserve a place for their children.

The concerned parent added that the purpose of the N$700 is also not clearly stated in the form.

A member of the school’s administration confirmed the legitimacy of the letter to The Namibian yesterday, saying that it was issued by the principal.

She confirmed that the payment is mandatory. However, parents can negotiate a payment plan with the school.

“You can pay half of the amount, then you can make an arrangement with the school. But you must at least pay something,” she stated. She said she was, however, unable to comment on any consequences that may arise due to the non-payment of the entire N$700.

Approached for comment last week, Khomas regional director of education Gerard Vries said there is a need for parental contributions to supplement what schools receive from the government.

“The education budget has been cut by 66% since last year. Schools get primary and secondary education grants to make ends meet, but that is still not enough because the needs of learners are quite elaborate,” he explained.

“As we speak, schools have not received an annual allocation for cleaning materials, so there is a need for the schools to augment the finances through parent contributions,” he added.

Vries said parent contributions assist with the running of the schools throughout the year.

“High school duplication costs are very high because of the volume of work. Contributions carry the school through the year because schools only receive secondary education grant payments three times a year. So, during the intervals, they need something to fall back on”.

Vries noted that contribution amounts are typically agreed upon during parent-teacher meetings.

“Parents typically don’t go to the meetings, then disclaim the information because they had not been to meetings. There is typically a budget that details the school’s projected expenses. Based on that, parents decide on the contribution amount,” he said.

Nehoya could not be reached for comment.