A concerned Antiguan parent has written an open letter to the Chief Education Officer condemning the growing financial burden placed on families by schools — including the charging of entrance fees to attend graduation ceremonies. According to Antigua News Room, the letter reflects mounting frustration among parents over what the writer describes as relentless and often duplicative fundraising demands.
The letter, signed simply as 'Concerned Parent,' argues that graduation ceremonies were once free and open events — a moment for families to celebrate years of sacrifice. That, the writer states, is no longer the case.
'Graduation was once free. Parents cried, clapped, and watched their children cross the stage. That was the reward for years of sacrifice. Not anymore,' the letter reads.
The parent outlines a long list of fees and fundraising requests that schools routinely make throughout the academic year, including contributions for toiletries, laboratory use — despite lab fees already being paid — pencils, pens, erasers, dress-up days, food fairs, phone retrieval fees, school bus fees, and increased secondary school entrance fees. The addition of graduation ceremony entrance fees, the writer says, is 'the final straw.'
The letter challenges the notion that parents are passive beneficiaries of the school system. 'Antiguan parents fund schools. We fund the toilet paper, the lab equipment, the pencils, the parties, the graduation itself,' it states, adding that some school administrators dismiss parental contributions when questions are raised.
The writer draws a sharp distinction between community support and what they see as exploitation of goodwill. 'Charging for graduation crosses a line. This isn't a concert. It's the culmination of 5+ years of fees, sacrifice, and support. Mothers who washed uniforms, fathers who worked double shifts, grandparents who paid CXC fees — now they need a ticket to see it.'
The parent stresses that they are not opposed to supporting schools, but calls on the Ministry of Education to take three concrete steps. First, they request full transparency, requiring schools to publicly disclose how fee and fundraising revenue is spent — particularly when parents are asked to fundraise for purposes already covered by existing fees. Second, they call for a policy prohibiting 'double-dipping,' defined as charging fees and fundraising for the same purpose while also charging for event entry. Third, they demand that graduation entry be made free, with a minimum of two complimentary tickets issued per graduating student.
'Education is a right, not a marketplace. When every event becomes a collection plate, students learn that access depends on money, not merit,' the letter concludes.
'Antigua's children deserve better. And parents who already pay for everything deserve respect.'
