The Education Ministry has called on school managements to be sympathetic towards parents and treat late payment of fees on a case by case basis instead of a blanket treatment.

Filipe Bole said the Ministry provides free tuition fees for all students from Class One to Form Seven, but there are other fees charged by certain school managements and these funds usually go towards other developments in the school.

Bole said these fees should be minimal and reasonable and most importantly, the non-payment of these other fees, should not be the reason for barring students from attending school. He added the education of children should not be used as a ransom to obtain school fees.

Earlier today Legend FM News was informed by a concerned parent that school children of Dudley Intermediate were threatened to be sent home if their parents do not pay their full fees.

Earlier this morning, the school said that if none of the students paid the fees then they would be sent home.

However Dudley Intermediate School management have clarified they will be sending reminders to parents of those kids that owe school fees. They said a written directive will now be given to the parents to pay up by this Monday, then only will a grace period be given to the parents of the 71 Class 8 students. They added this is to ensure that the school curriculum for the children is not affected.