I will never forget the day we were called out of the main hall just as we prepared to sit our first examination paper. The examination papers were ready, supervisors were moving around the room, learners were being checked, and everyone was preparing to enter the examination room. The nervousness had begun to fade, and we were ready to put our knowledge on paper.
Then the school principal walked into the hall carrying a list of learners with outstanding school fees. One by one, names were read aloud. The message was clear: we could sit our examinations, but we had to remember that the school needed its money.
That moment has stayed with me, not because school fees are unimportant, but because of the timing and the manner in which the issue was handled. I could not help wondering whether there was a better way to address a financial matter when learners were already dealing with the pressure of examinations.
Examination periods can be demanding. Learners are often struggling to complete revision, catch up on topics covered in previous terms, and overcome the fear of failure. Some worry about disappointing their parents, while others feel pressured to meet their schools' expectations. At such a time, they need guidance, encouragement, and reassurance to help them approach their examinations with confidence.
This raises an important question: how can schools and parents work together to address outstanding fees while ensuring that learners remain mentally prepared for their examinations?
Mental preparedness is an essential part of examination readiness. Beyond reading notes and memorising concepts, learners need self-confidence, adequate rest, emotional support and practical ways to manage anxiety. When additional worries arise just before an examination, learners may find it difficult to concentrate on the task ahead.
During a Reach A Hand Africa campaign to uplift the well-being of learners, dubbed Be Better, mental preparedness among learners came out strongly. I had a one-on-one conversation with a senior four candidate. I asked him how well he was prepared for the examinations as they were going for term two holidays and all he said was that the pressure to complete school fees and come back with all the requirements, to avoid disturbance was already taking a toll on him.
For a learner whose name is announced publicly because of outstanding fees, the experience may bring embarrassment, anxiety or concern about their family's financial situation. Instead of focusing on the examination paper, they may begin worrying about what will happen after the
examinations. Yet, in most cases, learners have little control over the financial arrangements made between their families and their schools.
School fees are an important responsibility, and schools depend on payments to meet operational costs, pay staff, and maintain their facilities. Parents and guardians also have an obligation to meet agreed financial commitments. However, addressing these responsibilities does not have to come at the expense of learners' emotional well-being.
One practical solution is for schools to communicate with parents and guardians well before examination periods begin. Early communication allows both parties to discuss outstanding balances, understand any financial difficulties, and explore realistic payment arrangements. Where necessary, they can agree on a plan that considers the family's circumstances while recognising the school's financial needs.
These discussions should also be handled privately and directed towards the adults responsible for payment. This approach can help protect learners from unnecessary embarrassment and pressure while allowing schools to follow up on their financial obligations.
There is a difference between contacting a parent about an outstanding balance and announcing a learner's name in front of classmates moments before an examination. Timely, private communication addresses the financial issue directly while allowing learners to concentrate on demonstrating what they have learned.
Schools should also recognise that preparing learners for examinations goes beyond completing the syllabus. Guidance and counselling, realistic revision schedules, adequate rest, and positive encouragement should be part of the preparation process. These conversations should happen throughout the school term rather than being left until the last minute.
Parents and guardians also have a role to play. Where they anticipate difficulties paying school fees, communicating with school administrators early can help prevent last-minute misunderstandings. Honest conversations and agreed payment arrangements can make it easier for both parties to manage their responsibilities.
Ultimately, schools and families share a responsibility to create an environment in which learners can pursue their education with dignity and confidence. Financial accountability and learners' well-being should not be treated as opposing priorities. Both can be addressed through responsible planning, respectful communication, and cooperation.
As examination periods approach, learners need more than revision materials and examination timetables. They need the peace of mind to concentrate, the confidence to face challenging questions, and the reassurance that the adults around them are working towards their success.
Balancing school fees and examination readiness begins with understanding that the timing and manner of communication matter. By engaging parents and guardians early, schools can address outstanding balances while giving learners the space to focus on their academic responsibilities.
Preparing learners for examinations is not only about what they know but also about the environment in which they are expected to demonstrate that knowledge. Early communication between schools and parents can help protect that environment while ensuring that financial responsibilities are addressed constructively.
The writer is Mevin Linnet Kyakuwa, a peer educator at Reach a Hand Africa