Some parents also spoke to this reporter anonymously saying that the school has been fleecing parents of monies they do not have. "Every week we are receiving letters for donations and when we do not cooperate they insult our children at school. The straw that broke the camel's back is the prices that parents are called to pay for new uniforms by the end of this month."
According to the parents, some administrative staff went to the USA and saw a particular uniform and fell in love with it. They said without consulting the parents and or PTA the school has decided to opt for that uniform. However, the principal and teachers did not shop around for the best prices. Instead, they accepted what is given to them and now are forcing the new inform and prices down the throats of the parents who are also caught up with the economic down turn.
"Can you imagine a polo shirt cost $28, a pair of socks $7 and a skirt comes with a $35 price tag. One mother said the school also brought in the same color and type of book bags and they are insisting that parents buy it for their children.
The mother said she does not intend to buy the uniform from the school and she would wait and see if her child will be kicked out of the school. She woman said if that happens then someone would have to tell her where does compulsory education fit in. Another concern for the parents is the fact they are compelled to pay book fees for primary school students. "Students of the St. Dominic Primary School are the only ones that pay book fee, even though the school is a Catholic School. Furthermore, the students are given recycled books. Even though all of this is done, the level of education at the school they said has dropped tremendously. She further explained that outside of this, the school has been loosing its standards and several parents are moving their children to other private schools.
The parents said the school is also selling candies, ice pops and other junk food to students during school hours, they said they have brought this to the attention of the principal who simply said if the parents don't want their children to eat sweets they should not give them monies. The parents also indicated that the health department visited the school and took a list of items that is sold at the school but to date nothing has been done. "It is time someone in the health department goes to the school and takes a survey to see how many obese students are there and do something about the junk that is sold at the school's canteen.
SMN News contacted board member Arnell who said she was not in a position to comment on the concerns of the parents. Efforts made to contact Mrs. Buncamper by phone last night proved futile.