The Private Schools Association of Malawi (PRISAM) says it is considering reviewing tuition fees for private schools following recent fee adjustments by the country’s public universities.
PRISAM President Ernest Kaonga said no decision has been made yet, but private schools are facing increasing operational costs similar to those affecting public higher education institutions.
He said expenses such as electricity, water, teaching materials, school maintenance and staff remuneration have continued to rise, placing pressure on school budgets.
Kaonga said private schools also need to remain competitive in attracting and retaining qualified teachers, noting that staff salaries and benefits account for a significant share of school expenditure.
“Like public institutions, private schools must compete to retain qualified teachers. In many education systems, up to 70% of any tuition increase goes directly to salaries and benefits for staff,” he said.
He added that when public universities revise their fee structures, private institutions often reassess their own financial position to ensure they can continue delivering quality education and avoid budget deficits.
“We have not made a final decision, but we cannot ignore the economic reality. Our schools run almost entirely on tuition. If costs rise and fees remain unchanged, the quality of education may be affected,” Kaonga said.
He stressed that PRISAM has not increased school fees, saying the association is still consulting and assessing the financial environment before making any decision.
#MBCDigital
#Manthu
