A report has showed that parents of Taiama, Kori Chiefdom, Moyamba District have expressed dissatisfaction over recent decision by local schools to charge a NLe 30 fee for pupils to collect their annual academic result.

According to a report by AIM Net Newspaper, several secondary schools in Taiama Town have implemented this new policy, citing administrative costs as the reason for the fees.

The report also said parents complaint that the fee places an undue financial burden on families, many of whom are already struggling with the rising cost of living in the chiefdom.

“It is outrageous that we have to pay just to get our children’s results,” said Sarah Kamara, a parent.
“Education should be accessible to all, not locked behind arbitrary fees.
This makes it harder for us to support our kids’ academic progress.”

Other parents have echoed similar sentiments, describing the NLe30 charge as an “ugly situation” that undermines the fundamental right to education.

Parents have called on local authorities to intervene and address the issue as a matter of urgency.
“We are calling on the education department and the township administration to look into this matter immediately,” said Fatmata Bangura.

The aggrieve parents stated that the fees need to be abolished, and schools should provide results free of charge, as has been the norm.

It is stated that the Township of Taiama has over 50,000 people, many of whom rely on the public secondary school system, as Implementing this new fee has sparked widespread concern and outrage among the community, with parents demanding a swift resolution to the problem.