Most urban schools are set to revise fees structures for Senior One and Senior Four upwards, but those in rural areas are keeping their fees with minimal raises, a mini-survey by this paper shows.

Several schools cite the increase in food prices as well as rise in cost of operation for the decision to "mint every last bit of money” from parents. The raise comes after stable fees structure over the past few years.

Senior One and Four classes open on February 3.

In some major public schools such as Lycée de Kigali and Kagarama Secondary School, Lycée Notre Dame de Citeaux, the fees structures are higher compared to schools in rural areas.

The fees structure range between Rwf35,000 (for O-Level) and Rwf100,000 (for Advanced Level) per term.

In Lycée de Kigali, a student pays almost twice what a student in GS Karubanda in Huye District pays. 

Lycée de Kigali is charging day scholars Rwf83,000 (O-Level) for the first term, and Rwf103,000 for Senior Four in the boarding section. 

"We depend on the market 100 per cent in school feeding and the food prices are high. Yet, most of the schools upcountry have space for cultivation and the food prices are lower,” said Martin Masabo, the head teacher of Lycée de Kigali.

Justifying fees

Sam Nkurunziza, the head teacher of Kagarama Secondary School in Kicukiro District, said: "In case of water shortage here, we have to hire a truck to bring it from outside; in schools upcountry, students could fetch water from nearby sources.”  

At GS Kibihekane in Nyabihu District, Western Province, A-Level students will part with Rwf60,000 per term, about the same amount in Ecole Secondaire de Nyange, Ngororero District. 

Some schools charge a flat fee while others ask students for more money for other requirements.

GS Karubanda in Southern Province charges Rwf33,000 and Rwf43,000 for O-Level and Senior Four, respectively.

Marie Goretti Mukarubayiza, the head teacher, said students also need to have more money for sports and culture promotion, health insurance and a mosquito net. 

The increase of fees in urban areas also affects private schools. 

Apeka school in Nyamasheke District charges Rwf70,000 in boarding section per term and Rwf45,000 for day scholars. 

This is slightly lower compared to GS Aceper in Nyamagabe District that charges Rwf88,000 and Rwf55,000 per term for boarding and day scholars, respectively. 

In Musanze District, Sunrise High School charges Rwf250,000 and Rwf150,000 for boarding and day scholars, respectively. 

The money does not include the uniform that goes for Rwf35,000 and Rwf10,000 (monthly) for transport for the day students.

"We are private and do not get any subsidy from government. Besides, we offer quality education with good computer laboratory and a wide documentation for students,” Jean Pierre Manzi, the head teacher, said.

Quality as a justification for high fees was also expressed by Martine Muhongayire Kagabo, the principal of Well Spring Academy in Gasabo District, Kigali.

The school charges between Rwf320,000 and Rwf395,000. 

Joram Kalisa, a parent, said there should be value for money in schools charging "exorbitant fees.” 

The results of 2013 O-Level examinations and PLE, released early this month, indicate that urban schools dominated the list of top candidates compared to their rural counterparts.

Encouraging day schools 

The Rwanda Education Board (Reb) said government policy is to have parents paying less in day schools.  

 Janvier Gasana, the deputy director-general in charge of education quality and standards at Reb, said education in public secondary schools is free. 

"What the students pay is not school fees, but school allowance, for accommodation and meal,” Gasana said.

The government covers Rwf7,000 every term and per student in day schools (including the nine/12-year basic education) and Rwf7,500 per day per student in boarding schools.

"Our wish is that parents should send children to day schools to be able to follow them up,” he added.

However, Gasana said private schools have the liberty to define own fee structure as long as they comply with minimum standards in quality.