Mbabane: Parents who were told to pay school fees for the elapsed year will be relieved from paying those fees as Members of Parliament has voted and passed a motion to halt payment for last year school fees.
This comes after Matsanjeni North Member of Parliament Phila Buthelezi moved the motion that Minister of Education Lady Howard-Mabuza to reverse her decision of forcing parents to pay school fees for 2020.
The motion was debated on Monday and it was seconded by Shiselweni II MP Strydom Mpanza. The duo also moved that parents who have already paid the 2020 school fees be refunded.
The motion was voted for and passed by the House of Assembly after the minister agreed to implement the motion within 24 hours.
Before agreeing to the 24 hour ultimatum, Minister Mabuza had accepted the motion but asked for 48 hours to do necessary consultations. However, she was denied the 48 hours rather she was given 24 hours as the MPs said there was no need for any consultations as the order was clear.
Making his submissions, Buthelezi said forcing parents to pay for services that they did not enjoy was daylight robbery. He said the minister must comply with the motion and implement the resolution or else she will be slapped with a vote of no confidence.
The Education minister insisted that the parents should pay the fees as the government has already paid for the Free primary Education (FPE) and the Orphaned and Vulnerable children (OVCs). The minister made the statement during a press conference which was held at the cabinet offices last week Thursday.
The minister said head teachers should provide financial reports to how funds were used the previous year and their budgets for this academic year which is set to commence on March 20, 2021.
