Gerakan has welcomed the Deputy Prime Minister’s reminder to schools not to impose exorbitant fees that could burden parents when the new term starts next month, but hope there will be follow-ups to ensure the guideline is carried out vigorously and fairly.

Gerakan deputy secretary-general Liang Teck Meng said the reminder is timely and reflects the government’s concern that parents should not be over-burdened, especially for those who have several school-going children.

“It is imperative to lessen the financial burden of parents in view of the rising cost of living. In the past, there were schools which imposed exorbitant fees, and this created problems for families,” said Liang in a statement.

However, Liang, who is also Simpang Renggam Member of Parliament, said some schools lacking in funds had to impose charges on students for maintenance and services.

He said these schools should rightfully get the required allocation from the government which is responsible for providing basic amenities and facilities to schools.

He said all the while the Education Department had allowed schools to impose administrative and miscellaneous fees because the schools needed money to do the maintenance and services.

“Most schools, whether subsidized by government or not, face such problems and they have no choice but to ask pupils to pay.

Liang also urged the government to give allocations to schools for maintenance and services based on number of students in each school and not a standardized one as presently practiced.

He said asking schools not to impose these fees would only make parents happy temporarily but for the long run, the schools would be financially affected. Thus, he said the government should resolve this problem.

Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who is also Education Minister, had said on Thursday that if schools still wanted to impose fees for certain miscellaneous items or activities, the decision must be agreed to by parents.

“It must be discussed and decided at parent-teacher association meetings. Once a school has decided it must then get the approval of the state Education Department,” he said.