Rev. Akisseh Makoge Ernest the Chief Executive Officer of Live Savers Foundation, Tombel, has disclosed that forceful fees drive on pupils and students in schools is mental torture and abuse of their rights.Rev. Akisseh was speaking to The Ultimate in Tombel on the 28th of January 2023, where he referred to the 1989 United Nations Convention on the abuse of the fundamental rights of children and the 1990 African Charter for the protection of rights and welfare of children.
He lamented that children are not responsible for the pay-ment of fees, and when they are sent driven from school because of fees, they miss classes, are demoralized, leading to mental torture.
The CEO regretted that most pupils and students have dropped out of school as a result of such torture they receive in schools.
He added that the UN Charter is clear that every per-son below 18 is vulnerable, and forceful recovery of fees on chil-dren is a hindrance to academic excellence.
Akisseh intimated that Lives Savers Foundation through its project EDUWATCH, has insti-tuted strategies for fees to be parent centered instead of chil-dren centered.
According to Rev Akisseh, EDUWATCH has developed a strategy where fees collection in schools is scheduled for first term and second term.
He said children whose fees have not been paid within this period, their names are written and handed to his organization to follow up parents to pay the fees, while the children are in class without interruption.
Akisseh said in some cases where parents are really needy and can’t afford the fees, his organization pay these fees as support to these parents.
He said they also negotiate for some parents to pay during holidays or the next academic year.
The CEO said they are already working with schools in Tombel, through the Inspectorate of Basic Education and remarkable success has been recorded.He appealed to the adminis-tration, elites and other stake
holders to support the initiative so that they can cover the entire Kupe Muanenguba Division and South West Region.
