News - New guidelines warn donation-seeking school officials

Past pupils’ associations, school development societies and all such groups linked to national schools will not be allowed to collect monies or goods from parents before or after a child is admitted under new guidelines for school admissions.

The guidelines unveiled by the government last week warn of stern action if school heads or officials of organizations affiliated to a school try to force parents to give donations.

The only fees that can be charged will be the government-approved school fees, according to the guidelines. Under the new rules, the interview board for Grade 1 admission will consist of the principal of the school, head of the primary section, two senior teachers and a member of the school development society. A representative of the past pupils’ association is allowed to join the interview team when children are admitted under the past-pupils quota. There have been no changes made in the quotas allocated to different categories under which children will be admitted to government schools.