Hundreds of learners at Chisoka Primary School in Goliyati Education Zone in Thyolo district have been barred from accessing education and free meals for failure to pay K1, 000 for development fund.

Of the total 2,024 learners at the school, only 872 have managed to pay the school development fund.

Helen Maloya, one of the parents who is yet to pay the fee, told YFM Online the amount is on the higher side considering that many parents and guardians from the area are poor.

Maloya also alleged that the school authorities have not been accountable.

“They say the funds are for the school development but to be frank, since the school started to collect the money there is nothing on the ground that one can point at in terms of development and there is no accountability,” she said.

Some parents also said they are surprised that learners are being charged extra K100 to receive school feeding programme packages.

Chisoka primary school committee chairperson Foster Chome admitted that they are demanding money from parents in order to complete construction works for a development project at the school.

On the issue of the extra K100 fee, Chome said the money is channeled to the area’s Teachers Development Committee (TDC).

The school’s head teacher, Ronny Mwehiwa expressed surprise on the complaints.

Mwehiwa alleged that the parents are complaining yet they already agreed on the amount during a meeting which was held in the presence of the zonal Primary Education Advisor (PEA) and the Desk Officer.

Ministry of Education officials were yet to comment on the matter.

Education expert, Steve Sharra has advised the school authorities to thoroughly engage the parents before enforcing the rules to avoid such conflicts.