Illegal collection of enrolment and school fees: 4 school heads heard in Haut Katanga 1

The director of the Haut-Katanga 1 educational province, Joseph Mwinkeu Tshiend, provincial inspector Nicolas Nyange Bizy, and provincial director of DINACOPE Richard Malebe held a hearing on September 11 with the administrators of the Belle Vue, Bisounours, Flora, and Age d’Or schools. These school administrators are accused of illegally collecting enrollment fees and increasing tuition fees. The administrator of the Belle Vue school explained that he had not collected enrollment fees, much less increased tuition fees at his institution. And yet, the various fees in question were unanimously approved by the parents’ committee, which met in accordance with current regulations in the presence of government representatives, and a copy of the minutes was filed with the various offices of the educational province. On the other hand, the administrator of Flora Middle School acknowledged the allegations made against him by the provincial committee. He stated, however, that the additional fees were intended to fund student field trips as part of competency-based education. He acknowledged that his mistake was failing to inform the parents in advance. He also promised to suspend all the fees in question until the next general parents’ meeting scheduled for October. The vice president of ASSONEPA requested leniency from the provincial authorities regarding the charges against the principal of CS Les Bisounours before any final decision is made. As for CS L’Age d’Or, the chief of staff to the provincial Minister of Education, the president of ANAPECO, and the provincial director of DINACOPE all suggested issuing a new invitation to the head of CS L’Age d’Or before taking further action. Provincial Governor Joseph Mwinkeu Tshiend and the IPP clarified that the promoters of accredited private schools will remain privileged partners of the State and will be ready to support them at any time. It should be noted that Article 180 of the framework law grants promoters the right to set tuition fees. The Chief of Staff to the Provincial Minister of Education, the President of ANEPECO, and the Director of DINACOPE suggested that the head of CS L'Age d'Or be invited again before lifting further measures. It should be noted that Article 180 of the Framework Law grants school operators the right to set tuition fees. This is to be done in consultation with the parents’ committee in the presence of a government representative. Michaella Kiasungwa.