Kingston College PEP success leaves mother facing $67,500 school bill

Winning a seat at Kingston College through the Primary Exit Profile brought celebration to one home — and then mounting worry. A working mother employed as a security guard says she must find more than $67,500 in schooling costs before the new academic year opens.

Speaking to THE STAR without giving her name to shield her family's privacy, the woman said she was delighted when her child's PEP results secured entry to KC. That relief faded once the school issued its fee schedule. Charges listed for general maintenance, upkeep of computer laboratories, security, curriculum support, internet, insurance and PTA dues, together with an $8,500 contribution to the Kingston College Development Trust Fund, come to $43,500.

The pressure grows because the same child is set to attend summer school this month at a cost of $24,000. At the same time, she is preparing her daughter, who is already in high school, for external examinations.

"I don't know how I'm going to manage it," she told THE STAR. She stressed that the combined $67,500 covers school and summer-school fees alone — not the textbooks, uniforms, supplies, transport and lunch money still ahead. "I haven't even started on the book list yet," she added.

The account has stirred discussion online. Member of Parliament and Government Minister Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn has raised questions about several items on the fee schedule. Responding to the document on X, she wrote: "This is telling. The children soon start paying electricity bills for the school. What do they do with the $35,000 x 800-1,000 students? I am very curious."

In another post, she asked whether some listed costs should already be met by the Government. "I thought the Ministry pays for internet and maintenance etc."

Her comments came days after the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information reminded schools that students must not be blocked from education because families cannot pay registration or other school-related fees. In an advisory issued on June 30, the ministry urged administrators to keep registration charges as low as possible and to arrange reasonable payment terms for households facing hardship.

The ministry also stated that summer school must not be made a requirement for registration after a PEP placement. It encouraged schools to offer payment plans, fee waivers, alumni support and other help for parents in financial difficulty.

For the security guard, those policy discussions bring little immediate relief. Her priority is gathering enough funds so both children can be ready when classes resume.

"Every parent wants the best for their child, but it's getting harder and harder to afford it."