Parents to Get Refunds Under New School Fee Rules 

By S.Browne. Updated 10:19 a.m., Wednesday, July 15, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Parents who have already paid certain secondary school registration fees are set to receive refunds after the Ministry of Education directed schools to remove a number of charges from their registration packages with immediate effect.

The directive was outlined in a July 14 letter from Chief Education Officer Mavis Findlay-Joseph to heads of secondary schools following a virtual meeting to discuss the revision of school fees.

“The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information extends sincere appreciation to each of you for your attendance and active participation in the virtual meeting held on 14 July 2026 to discuss the revision of school fees,” the letter stated.

It added, “We are grateful for the professional manner in which you shared your views. Your willingness to engage in constructive dialogue reflected our collective commitment to ensuring that decisions are made in the best interest of our students, parents and the wider education sector.”

Under the revised guidelines, schools may require payment only for a school badge, school tie, Parent Teacher Association (PTA) fee, and physical education uniform or polo shirt.

Items including student photographs, exercise books, school handbooks, report books, homework books, art supplies, music recorders and supplies, 32 GB flash drives, school co operative fees, and book loan schemes have been classified as optional. The letter notes that students may also choose to use suitable exercise books other than those supplied by the school.

The ministry said the revised fee structure is in keeping with Section 16 of the Education Act No. 34 of 2006, which provides that students attending public and government assisted schools cannot be charged tuition fees or other costs except in circumstances prescribed by law.

The letter also instructed principals to update their registration packages and refund parents where necessary.

“Revise your school’s registration package to reflect the approved fee structure. Where registration has already been completed, make the necessary arrangements to refund parents for any fees collected that are no longer applicable under the revised guidelines,” the letter stated.

The ministry acknowledged the financial challenges schools face in meeting operational expenses but encouraged them to pursue innovative and sustainable approaches to revenue generation within the framework of the Education Act.

“The Ministry of Education, Vocational Training, Innovation, Digital Transformation and Information acknowledges the financial challenges schools face in meeting operational expenses and remains mindful of the need for schools to pursue innovative and sustainable approaches to revenue generation within the framework of the Education Act,” the letter said.

The letter also advised that Minister of Education Phillip Jackson will provide an official public update on the decisions arising from the meeting.

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