Episcopal Conference of Malawi Raises School Fees for Supported Secondary Schools
Beginning in September 2023, when schools open for the 2023–2024 school calendar, the fees will rise from K200,000.00 (approx. $189) to K230,000.00 ($217).
LILONGWE, Malawi— The Episcopal Conference of Malawi (ECM), the headquarters of the Catholic Church in Malawi, has announced an increase in school fees for all its supported secondary schools, writes Francis Polinyu Banda.
Beginning in September 2023, when schools open for the 2023–2024 school calendar, the fees will rise from K200,000.00 (approx. $189) to K230,000.00 ($217).
The decision to raise the fees was made in response to the economic hardships faced by the schools due to the country's volatile economy.
In a letter released on Monday, July 17th, and addressed to the Ministry of Education and all Catholic education governing institutions, the ECM cited concerns raised by headteachers of the schools as a driving factor behind the decision.
"Headteachers of our assisted secondary schools have expressed concern that they are facing enormous challenges to keep the schools running," the letter stated.
The increased fees will include contributions for the operations of the Catholic Education Commission offices and boarding per term.
The Right Rev. Bishop Thomas Luke Msusa, the Bishop Chairman for Education, informed me that the Catholic bishops reached a consensus on the fee hike during their annual plenary meeting in June 2023.
The decision was seen as a necessary measure, given the high cost of living experienced by citizens.
Speaking in an interview on Tuesday, Bishop Msusa clarified that the increase was primarily necessitated by the rising costs of food for boarding students. He acknowledged that some parents and guardians might find it difficult to support their children and wards under the new fee structure.
However, he asserted that the church has an obligation to ensure the sustainability of its educational institutions, especially in the face of reduced support from external donors.
"This increase has been affected because of the high cost of foodstuffs for boarding students. As a church, there is nothing we can do about this and the way commodity prices are on the market, we also feel like our hike is a bit fair as compared to how school fees are in other boarding secondary schools," Bishop Msusa explained.
He further revealed that in the past, the ECM had received significant support from donors. However, many donors are now shifting the responsibility of educating citizens onto the government.
Nevertheless, some lucky students in these schools still receive help from individual priests and well-wishers who source funding support from donors.
Bishop Msusa emphasised that the ECM has requested that relevant authorities communicate the fee increase to all its secondary school headteachers and respective Catholic dioceses.
This way, parents and guardians will be adequately informed before the start of the first term in September.
The increase in fees comes as the ECM strives to ensure the continued operation and quality of education in its supported secondary schools despite economic challenges.