Cedar School blames NHI for fees increase
In an email captioned ‘Calendar, tuition and fees for 2016-17’ Director of the school Scott Crawford outlined that the fees were being increased and that those increases have been approved by the Board of Trustees of the school.
The email to the parents had the new fee structure attached to it. The NHI was implemented from January 1, 2016 and as a result many businesses have been feeling the financial impact that the Government imposed scheme has resulted in.
The email pointed out that the NHI has significantly impacted the school’s finances and said that the school has absorbed these additional cost over the past months.
“In determining tuition levels for the 2016/2017 academic year, we have carefully considered the finances of the School, particularly any significant changes in our costs. You will all no doubt be aware that the implementation of NHI, while providing a valuable social service, has a significant impact on the School's finances. Although this additional financial burden started affecting the School in January of the current academic year, we made the conscious decision to defer any increase in tuition until families had adequate time to prepare,” he said in the email.
Increases in tuition by 4.5 percent
Crawford said in the email that the increases in tuition fees as a result of the NHI will be in the region of 4.5 percent on average.
“As a not for profit organisation, we have always sought to keep fees and other costs, and any resultant surplus, as low as possible while still remaining fiscally responsible. While this ensures that tuition remains as low as possible, it also means we have no opportunity to absorb additional costs like NHI when they occur. Therefore, principally due to the additional cost of NHI, we have decided to increase tuition by an average of 4.5 percent,” he said.
“We understand that this increase represents an additional financial burden on families, and the School continues to offer various avenues of assistance should there be a need,” he said.
When we visited the school with the hope of speaking to Crawford we were told that he was on a class outing off island and that he will be returning on Monday May 30, 2016.
Speaking to this news site was Office Manager Vanessa Simon, who explained that every year there is an increase in the school’s tuition fees but the increase is usually about 2 percent. She said that with the addition of NHI this year that increase was steeper than usual. She said that with NHI it is understandable that things are harder for everyone, including the school.
She, however, directed further queries to Mr Crawford.
It is this news site’s understanding that many parents of the school’s 240 students are unhappy with the increase; however, they declined to put their concerns on record.
"I am already paying college fees at that school," one parent who was concerned about the latest increase in tuition stated.
53 Responses to “Cedar School blames NHI for fees increase”
Too much black kidz coming in now so this is just an excuse to detour some of them?
Bunch of crap!
Cedar does not make a profit! If they can;t cover theor costs, then they will go bust. I expect salaries are the most expensive item in Cedar's budget - it has just gone up 3.75%
Send your children to regular school and stop giving Cedar your money.
While the super rich are are paying super fees and sending their kids to Cedar, there are some parents who cannot even buy uniforms and books nor feed properly their children to send them to the public schools.
Is this the society we want to promote here in this little country?
The fees collected by Cedar could provide salaries for hundreds of the unemployed or underemployed. Unfortunately, there are those who can afford to pay the high school fees even with the increase. Let them pay. What a shame - nonprofit me foot.
I agree the facilities are lacking as a proper art/music/gym/pool would be nice and someday maybe there will be because the school is still young and growing.
The teachers salaries aren't high and it's mandatory to have NHI so it is what it is.
As for all the racist comments, if you had a proper education you wouldn't be making them....they're ignorant, disrespectful and inappropriate. We "the expats" are where we are because of a huge amount of education and experience. We aren't here taking anyone's jobs as most locals aren't educated or qualified to do them. We stimulate, contribute to and benefit your local economy which enhances your "local" life.
Kids don't see color or money, they make friends and coexist because they just want to play. Racism is taught at home and is wrong. I've met far more racist people in the local community and none in the expat community.
The young black kids need to get an education, learn to speak eloquently, they need to learn that there's a big wonderful world out there full of opportunity and cedar gives a lot of them that opportunity.
There is no need to pay so much for your child to get through high school and be successful in life. Cedar is a status symbol.
If I understand it the Govt doesn't let expat children into the school system which is why private schools are around. However those who say it is racist are wrong.
Personally I think it is better if all the children had to go to public schools so they all got to mix together. It would help end this bullsh.t us and them crap. Kids don't see Colour and racism - they are taught it from their parents.