The Education Ministry has stressed that schools need to get a permit from the district officer in order to hold a fund-raising program.

Minister Filipe Bole said to lighten the cost borne by parents, the Ministry has extended fee free tuition for all students from Class 1 to Form 7 and for any other additional fee, at the beginning of every year, each school is required to submit to the Ministry of Education its fee structure.

According to Bole any change in the existing structure must be approved by the Permanent Secretary.

He added the Ministry is also aware of the need for some schools to raise funds to supplement their income and meet miscellaneous expenses incurred for the smooth operation of the school.
 
In this regard, Bole confirmed all fundraising that involve the collection of money from the public must have a legal permit obtained from the District Officer 7 days beforehand, these include lotteries, raffles and any game of chance where the prize money is over $50, each school is allowed one fund raising activity per year to be held during the week end or holidays and any fund raising activity involving the use of students to collect money from the public on the streets is not allowed.

Furthermore, Bole said it is advisable that students and teachers are not coerced into participating in such fund raising activities, adding that it would be best if fund raising was left with school managements and parents.