KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 11 — The imposition of additional fees at primary religious and fardhu ain (Kafa) schools was decided by the School Administrative Board to cover salary or allowance of teachers appointed by administrators, local daily Sinar Harian reported today.

Selangor Islamic Affairs Department (Jais) director Datuk Haris Kasim reportedly said that religious schools — which come under Jais’ purview — generally do not impose school fees, as practised at schools under the jurisdiction of the Education ministry.

However, in order to streamline the schools’ operation costs, Haris said Jais had issued a circular in November last year as a guide for religious and Kafa schools to collect the fee that was termed as additional charges.

"According to the package, the maximum fee is RM76 for Primary One students, while a maximum fee of RM58 is imposed for Primary Two to Six.

"Should there be any increase on school fees apart from the packages stipulated, these were subject to decisions reached at Parent-Teacher Association General Meeting for primary religious schools and by the School Administrative Board for Kafa school,” the Malay daily quoted Haris as saying.

Yesterday, the weekly morning publication reported grouses raised by parents who claimed  fees of primary religious schools under Jais had drastically increased.

The parents had called for the Selangor government to stop increasing fees of religious school on a yearly basis as this would add to their financial burden.