23 July, 2020

As our lives continue to be affected by the COVID-19 Pandemic, we have all had to adjust to new ways of living and working. Since the closure of school campuses on March 20, our pupils have also had to adjust to new ways of learning.

In response to the situation, schools around the world introduced online education systems. Our own Woodford School Lusaka Remote Learning Programme has evolved over the past 18 weeks from our initial early efforts that involved lessons and assignments shared via email to a more comprehensive system using our Student Portals, and finally to our current offering that was introduced on 30 June, which is based on the globally-recognised G Suite for Education.

During recent weeks, the increasing spread of COVID-19 cases across our city has amplified the importance of our Remote Learning Programme. Woodford School Lusaka is fortunate to have put in place a robust platform that is constantly improving, and that has been ensuring that teaching and learning of the School’s core curriculum has continued for the majority of our pupils. It has also helped all participants (educators, learners and their parents) to further settle into the digital age.

It goes without saying that Woodford School Lusaka sees Remote Learning as an important part of our new reality and is firmly committed to executing it to the fullest extent possible while it is necessary.

However, as is the nature of change and adjustment, the environment surrounding Remote Learning has been fraught with controversy. This was to be expected, especially given the unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in, and the level of uncertainty that now surrounds us every day.

Various stakeholders have expressed and communicated, directly and indirectly, their views about it, which we have taken into consideration. Further to this, the School has engaged parents and Ministry of General Education officials about the structure, delivery and pricing of our Remote Learning Programme. Our aim has been to follow Presidential and Ministerial directives as well as be sympathetic to the cries of our customers, while at the same time maintaining our attractiveness as a leading private school and ensuring the financial viability of the institution, which faces many of the obligations and liabilities it did before COVID-19.

RESOLVING MATTERS RELATED TO TERM II

Under guidance from our line Ministry, the School is pleased to announce that current Remote Learning referred as Term II has been renamed Remote Learning Phase I. This renaming does not, in any way, change the value proposition that was shared with parents through the communication of 7 May 2020, in the Managing Director’s letter on Woodford School Lusaka Fees Discounts During the Remote Learning Period and various updates from the Head Teacher.

As we come to the close of Phase I, we look forward to all matters being put behind us. With that in mind:

  • We urge the minority of parents with outstanding balances to settle their accounts. Our values lead us to be fair to all the majority of parents who duly settled their fees as billed for this period.
  • We confirm that parents will not be billed again as and when Term II is officially declared by the Minister. Our position is that the academic material has been covered during the previous period. For those pupils who will require catch-up at a later date, remedial programme will be arranged. As parents are aware, it has long been our school policy not to charge for remedial programmes for new and existing pupils. Subject to the extent of academic deficit having to be covered by a pupil due to non-participation in Remote Learning, it is our intention that this should be the case.
  • As a further positive gesture, we undertake that the Remote Learning Discount will not be reversed for exam class pupils for the time since they came back to in-person learning in June.

CHANGES TO REMOTE LEARNING BILLING CYCLE

A summary of the changes now in effect is as follows:

  • Our Remote Learning Programme will be structured over 3-month periods with approx. 1-month breaks in between. This will allow for planning and delivery of academics in a manner as close as possible to normal.
  • The first of these Remote Learning periods will be called Phase II and will run from September 1 to November 30, 2020.
  • The fees for our Remote Learning Programme will be payable three months, in advance.
  • A monthly payment option which will allow parents to settle their accounts monthly over the course of the period billed has been introduced.
  • As a further incentive to parents and to help with their current financial challenges, Remote Learning discounts have been revised upwards.

REMOTE LEARNING DISCOUNTS FOR 2020 PHASE II             

In the previous communication on 7 May, we had undertaken that the Remote Learning Discount for the coming period would be increased to 20% from the initial 10% that had been applied from May – August.

We are also pleased to announce that the Remote Learning Discount has been adjusted upwards on a sliding scale from 20% to 40%. A higher amount of discount has been applied to lower grades in recognition of the challenges faced in the effective delivery to online education at this level.

Thus will be applied to 2020 Phase II Remote Learning Tuition Bills at various rates, as follows:

  • Reception Classes 40%
  • Lower Primary (Grade 1 – 4) 30%
  • Upper Primary (Grades 5 – 7) 20%

In the event of non-examination class pupils returning to school campus for in-person learning, Normal Tuition Fees will then apply on a prorated basis, with the respective component of the Remote Learning Discount for the time applicable then being reversed. 

Click here to download the Remote Learning Fees and Charges Schedule

INTRODUCTION OF MONTHLY PAYMENT OPTION

The monthly payment option has been introduced as a response to feedback from parents about challenges being faced with their cash flows due to economic disruptions in the Pandemic period.

The rates offered are outlined in the attached Remote Learning Fees Schedule, which also indicates other terms and conditions applicable.

To have the monthly payment option activated on their accounts, parents will be required to indicate such on the attached Fees Payment Option Form before the scheduled billing date given below. We appreciate that adhering to this deadline will require some planning, but we hope parents appreciate that the School needs to set parameters to aid financial management.

Click here to download the Fees Payment Option e-Form

PREVIOUS SCHOOL FEE DISCOUNTS WILL CONTINUE TO APPLY

We take this opportunity to remind all of our dear parents and guardians about the excellent Discount Scheme offered by Woodford School Lusaka, which will continue to be offered.

  • EARLY PAYMENT DISCOUNT

Early Payment Discount of 5% is applicable on fees received for the coming term/phase and where payment is made prior to invoices being issued (which is normally at least a month before the Invoice due date).

Kindly be informed that billing for Term III 2020 (for examination classes) and Remote Learning Phase II 2020 (for non-examination classes) will be done during the weekend of 1-3 August 2020.

  • FAMILY DISCOUNTS

Woodford School Lusaka gives the following incentives for families with three or more children:

Number of Children

Three

Four

Five or more

Discount %

2.5%

3%

5%

Kindly note that some parents/guardians may be eligible for various discounts at the same time.

  • CORPORATE DISCOUNTS

These discounts are offered to parents/guardians who are employed by one company/organisation.

Number of Children

Five – Nine

Ten – Fourteen

Fifteen & above

Discount %

5%

7.5%

10%

The advantage of the Corporate Discount Scheme is that it allows employees of a particular company to collectively benefit, while not imposing directly any school fees obligation on their company. We appreciate that some employers have Human Resource policies that are based on the principle of paying employees’ net salaries and allowances in a lump sum, and then leaving it up to the employees to make their own arrangements for such necessities as housing, utilities, loans or advances and education for their children.