Failure to pay school fees

I spent all my money during the holidays, and now January feels like the longest month due to financial pressures. I wasn’t able to pay school fees on time, and schools will be opening soon. My child’s school has a strict policy stating that any child whose parents have not paid fees on schedule will be sent home. Is there a way to buy more time to pay these fees by appealing to children’s right to education? I strongly believe in the right to education for all children and feel that schools should prioritise this over fee payments. Please guide me.
EM, Kilimanjaro

We are sorry to hear about your financial troubles. Indeed, children have the right to education, which is recognised and protected under both international and national laws in many countries. In Tanzania, the government has enacted various laws to safeguard a child’s right to education, including the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Law of the Child Act, and the National Education Act along with its regulations.

Public schools in Tanzania offer free education to ensure that every child can access their right to education without financial obstacles. However, this is not the case for privately owned schools. Education is a business for these institutions, and they require parents to fulfil their financial obligations, including paying school fees. While we cannot comment on whether you have the option to negotiate your fees based on the right to education, many private schools do have policies that include consulting with parents to find alternative solutions to fee-related issues. We encourage you to reach out to the school management to discuss potential options, such as negotiating a payment plan that will not negatively impact your child’s academic progress. However, you cannot expect private schools to not charge you fees like public schools and you cannot claim discrimination either. Your lawyer can guide you further.