Parents feel the pinch as private school fees sky-rocke

In light of the contention over the quality of education provided by government, some parents are also upset over the steep cost of educating their children at private schools. Private school fees remain unregulated despite calls by government to put policies in place to ensure affordability of prime education for their children without breaking the bank. An unorthodox survey of the cost of education at private schools conducted by The Midweek Sun indicates that parents spend a lot of money. The average school fees for a “prestige” private school (commonly referred to as English medium schools) is P10, 000 (excluding development fees that range between P2000 and P20, 000). The most expensive private schools include Maru-a-Pula, Westwood, Northside Primary School, Broadhurst and Thornhill in Gaborone, Delta Waters in Maun and Kgaswe in Palapye. Not surprisingly, most of the schools have a high enrolment of expatriates and well-to-do Caucasians. The least expensive private schools include Legae Primary School, Letlhabile Primary and St Mary’s Primary School, with fees of between P4000 and P7000 per term and a development fee of between P1000 and P2000.

What exactly are you paying for?

Most, if not all private schools in Botswana, follow the British curriculum known as IGCSE, widely believed to be one of the most advanced worldwide. They also enjoy “privileges” such as swimming lessons, advanced computer lessons and libraries, among others. Attempts to speak to management of several schools hit a snag but an official from one prestigious school in Gaborone, who spoke on condition of anonymity pointed out that contrary to common perception, education is an expensive business to run hence the high school fees. “Parents pay for quality; it is value for money. On one hand, there is the noble gesture of giving young people a good start in life through moulding them to be enterprising, free thinking and employable individuals in society, but the school also have to make money to cover operating costs and enjoy profits.” The source cited rentals, water, electricity as well as transport and teachers and other staff salaries and other sundries as high costs. They added that it was the prerogative of parents to make stern decisions about their children’s future. “Education is holistic; you don’t just take a child to school and expect miracles; the home environment and involvement of teachers is also key. I find that supporting a child’s education process and investing in tools that make the learning process more enjoyable and easier, pays off in the end, regardless of whether you take your child to a government or private school.”

Struggling parents feel the pinch…

Financially capable parents who can afford the fees pay the required amount without batting an eyelid. However, the dire economic climate has been unfriendly to parents who would like to pay for the best education but don’t make enough. With salaries stagnant and cost of living increasing, some parents opt to remove their children from private schools and governments and complement with self-funded extra curricula activities. Sheila Kakas has two children and took the first to a prestigious private school but the last-born is enrolled in a government school. “When I had the first, my status of living was better; I had a good job and their father was financially supportive.” The situation however changed when she was retrenched three years ago. “I was forced to down scale my lifestyle. It was painful to remove my daughter from the school she was used to but it would be more humiliating for her to be singled out for unpaid fees anyways.” She landed a job two years later and left them in government schools but pays extra for sport and tutors. “The money is less than what I would spend on school and development fees, transport, food leaving enough to treat them time and again.”