By TANYA SMITH-CARTWRIGHT
tsmith-cartwright@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE thousands of people laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some private schools have sent out notices demanding outstanding school fees be paid immediately prompted frustration from some affected parents.
A note from C W Saunders Baptist School advised that outstanding tuition needed to be paid as soon as possible. Parents were told to pay online and call a listed number for more information.
“Some people just like to be quick to respond,” said a female school official who answered one of the numbers listed on the notice.
“That is for persons who were outstanding since December of last year. It’s just a reminder, but because the virus is out now, people want to use that as an excuse. This same notice was out December of last year and again in January. We have been sending this notice out for a little while, but now because persons want to find a reason to find something to jump on, they are talking about the virus. If they would take the time to read, they would see that the notice sent to them said December 2019 and January.”
Asked if there is an online portal for learning while the students are at home until April 14, she responded, “Yes we have stuff (school work) posted online. Now if the parents are taking advantage of it, I don’t know. That stuff online is free. It has nothing to do with paying fees or not. People just want to have something to say and pick on everything.”
The Tribune contacted an official from another Baptist school in New Providence who said the school is very lenient when it comes to the collection of fees, but the reality is staff and bills need to be paid.
“A lot of parents have been delinquent on fees for a very long time,” she said.
“The Baptists are very lenient when it comes to the payment of fees by parents in comparison to other private education institutions. Some of these parents owe thousands of dollars. At least we are keeping the children in school. The other schools put you out until you have paid.
“You are given a certain date. So like Easter term school fees were due from November. Now we are into summer term. Summer school fees were due in March. All the notice is telling you is to bring your account current.
“What they need to talk about is when last they have attended a PTA meeting. That’s a serious concern. Our teachers are still teaching, regardless. We all have virtual online classes. The portal is there for everyone to use whether you pay school fees or not. It’s an open portal. There is nothing to stop you from accessing it.”
Shortly after The Tribune’s call to the C W Saunders’ official, another letter was sent out to parents apologising for any embarrassment caused.
The letter read in part: “Please be advised that the previous notice that was issued regarding school fees was in response to parents who were concerned and inquired about how to make outstanding fee payment while the school’s office is closed. The information was not intended to embarrass, be insensitive or harsh towards parents during this current crisis with COVID-19.
“We wish to apologise to our parents for any discomfort or distress that this may have caused.”
The Tribune tried to contact authorities at Queen’s College, which has also sent out notices reminding parents to pay school fees as soon as possible, to no avail. QC’s notice to parents asked for fees to be paid immediately, adding late fees will incur a $100 charge.
Aside from stating where and how the fees should be paid, the letter stated:
“Students whose accounts are past due will not have access to instruction and course materials. If you have already paid, please provide a copy of the relevant receipt or online payment confirmation to the accounts office or send an email to billing@qchenceforth.com.”
Comments
stillwaters 4 years, 1 month ago
Internal affairs between parents and school.......not to be airing to the public. No need for newspapers to be stirring up animosity.
joeblow 4 years, 1 month ago
This is a time for sensitivity all around. A school does not have to accept a child with an unsettled bill when this lockdown is lifted. They could have handled this in a better way!
mandela 4 years, 1 month ago
Very insensitive of them.
Schemer18 4 years, 1 month ago
Most of the private schools are subsidised by the State! Them schools need to chill.
sheeprunner12 4 years, 1 month ago
How many of these so-called private schools worth paying money to attend???? …….. Probably no more than 10 ……..… The rest of them are probably not as good as many public schools ……….. But Bahamians are suckers for "paying" for what is considered better service. Many argue that the private schools are safer, have committed teachers and parents, and have smaller classes ……. should that not mean better academic performances???? …….. So, how come we hear so few get great results every year at the MOE Awards?????
TheMadHatter 4 years, 1 month ago
The answer to your questions is: video games, phones, chat room / groups, television, and an understanding by students (even at their level) that they don't need a good education to work at a fast food restaurant.
Government needs to seriously address (without the Christian Counsel) the issue of teen pregnancy, children without parents over 21 years of age who were themselves born to parents under 21, psychological issues such as pent up anger, depression, anxiety, extreme peer pressure greater than when we were in school, and inability to focus due to extremely short attention span caused by the changing "scenes" in video games.
We have widespread psychological issues that are impeding the ability for students to learn and become productive citizens. All of our big companies in this country are being sold out (and citizens complain about government selling public corporations) - but the truth is, there is nobody who can run them here. We are not producing a viable workforce. Schools are babysitting centers, and God forbid anyone should suggest students are ill or need any psychological help or are at fault in any way.
The method applied is just to treat them with kid gloves and hope for the best and thank God when they turn 18 their lives will then be their problem. This ignores the fact that everyone's problems are everyone's problems. NIB needs to be paid by high wage earners. Crime affects everyone and so on. A country full of ignorance and incompetence is no country at all.
We need real leadership on this problem, someone who realizes that to make an omelette you have to crack some eggs. The longer we try to protect children's "feelings", the more we condemn them to a life of real and significant bad feelings.
bahamianson 4 years, 1 month ago
Hello Sheeprunner, I hear you, but I must respectfully disagree. Queens College stands out on its own when it comes to academics and overall performance. Teachers offer many hours of their time to make sure that their students achieve excellent grades in the BJCSE and other national exams. I can attest to this. I did not enjoy the 7 am free classes ,or the free classes on Sunday or Saturday. It was a.sacrifice to get our child there, but we'll worth it.
DEDDIE 4 years, 1 month ago
Most private schools are barely breaking even. If the teachers expect their salaries, the money has to come from somewhere.
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