Steep increase in Anglican school fees

THE EDITOR: Kindly allow us, a group of concerned parents, space in your daily newspaper to convey a message to bishop Calvin Bess. As members of the Anglican Community we are gratified to hear you speak out in recent months on the issues of crime, abortion and most recently homosexuality in the Church. These are all critical situations that deserve the Church’s immediate attention, and your response to these issues clearly displays the commitment of the leadership of the Anglican Church in the Diocese of Trinidad and Tobago, to confronting challenging situations. There is a matter on which we, parents of one of the private primary schools in the diocese have sought your intervention, yet to date we have not had a response. This is the issue of, what we view as an arbitrary and punitive, increase in school fees from $1400, per term to $1800 per term, imposed on us by the Board of the school. This increase was undertaken without due consultation with the parent body in general, or our elected executive, hence our reason for considering it unfair.

Additionally, when Board members finally came to a PTA meeting, seeking to “justify” the new fees, their arguments lacked validity, depth, and plain common sense. This new fee structure would put our school above the cost of the majority of private schools along the East/West corridor, with the exception of four schools, two of which are the International School and Maple Lead. Additionally, we are one of the few schools that have a capital fee over $500. Over the past eighteen months this Board has taken other decisions that have both angered and alienated many parents. Notwithstanding, because the school is an excellent educational institution, many of us have stayed and not taken our children elsewhere. The fee increase, may however prove to be the proverbial “straw that breaks the camel’s back.” Please understand that we are not opposed to an increase per se, however the amount outlined is too steep and consideration should be given to perhaps pro rate it over a period of 12 - 24 months. As you are aware, school is due to re-open in a few weeks, and while this issue may not carry the same public appeal as some of the others, it is very important to us, as it directly impacts our children. We would be deeply appreciative if this can be addressed at your earliest convenience.

ANN NURSE and
Concerned Parents