I REFER to the recent public debates on the subject of school fees.

While I welcome the move by the Education Ministry to provide free education, somehow, the implementation has not been as smooth.

First, on school fees, most parents, if not all, would pay based on what the class teacher of a school itemised to be paid. The majority don’t realise that there are payments for things such as insurance, MSSM, PIBG and not forgetting the actual school fees, which is RM9 for secondary schools and RM4.50 for primary schools.

What the ministry is waiving is only the actual school fees but the rest remains either at par or at an increased rate. This move had confused parents who expected a total waiver of all fees when they registered their children for school.

That’s when they started to scrutinise every item on the bill. Even the guidelines on the packages prepared by the ministry didn’t escape scrutiny.

The statement by the Education Minister that parents were not forced to pay the unnecessary fees made it even more confusing. It was worse when the statement said parents could ask for a refund of these fees. Schools had to field queries tirelessly.

Second, the free textbooks were a huge relief to parents. However, we are yet to see the first year cycle of this exercise since there will be children who lose or damage books and some may keep them for reasons best known to them.

We hope that the replenishing exercise is well managed. In addition, in some cases, workbooks are more costly than textbooks.

As parents, we do hope that the ministry is also looking into how these workbooks will not cost parents alot. If there are plans to provide them for free, it will be greatly appreciated by parents.

Once again, the role of the Parent-Teacher Association is being tested. To show our sincerity to disgruntled parents and to uplift the morale of demoralised teachers is no easy task.

To supplement the school’s fund is not an easy task either. The students’ related school bills are always put under the microscope.

KAMARUDZAMAN SANUSI,

President PIBG,

Sekolah Menengah Bukit Kemuning, Shah Alam.

Source: The Star – January 9, 2008