Open Letter To Minister of Education

14 April 2011, Kumasi

To
Mrs Betty Mould Iddrisu
The Hon Minister of Education
P.O. Box M45
Accra

Dear Madam,

HIKE IN SCHOOL FEES BY HOLY TRINITY LUTHERAN SCHOOL - KUMASI

I am a parent with three children at Holy Trinity Lutheran School at Kwadaso Estate, Kumasi.

I have been concerned that this school has been increasing school fees so high without adequate justification and regard to the feelings of parents. The first time I sent by children to the school 3 years ago, Primary school children paid GHs397.00 per term. Today I have received a bill that the fee is now GHs616.00 effective 4th May 2011, 55% increase over 3 years. Every year the school increases fees exorbitantly. They call a meeting of PTA and before they do that they lobby a section of the rich parents who can afford. These parents hijack the meeting and the rest of us are always unable to get the school to reduce these fees.

Madam can you imagine that my child at Nursery’s fees is now GHs785.00, even more than JHS that is now GHs711.00? When we complained they said at the meeting that the harsh economic conditions have pushed them to increase, so that they can pay for the cost of running the school. As a parent with 3 children in the school I have to pay 616+711+785 = GHs2,112.00 A TERM and the school has refused to grant discounts for those of us with more than 2 children as is done in other schools. Madam, how can I pay such fees? I have attached a copy of the nursery fees.

Any time they increase fees, most parents withdraw their children such that the classrooms become near empty so they cannot raise enough revenue. So this year they deliberately increased the fee mid-year so that you cannot exercise the option to withdraw your child. This is unfair.

Madam, I am aware that GES has some grading for schools, A,B,C etc. and there are fees ranges for each grade. Please kindly check for us since I suspect that they have violated the regulation.

Please help us since I am writing on behalf of the silent majority.
Thank You

Kennedy Obeng
Concerned Parent – Kumasi