The school fees at the Bishop Mackenzie International School are structured according to the student’s age (Primary, Secondary and Diploma) and the parents’ tax status. Those parents subject to Malawi taxation are considered taxpayers, others are considered as non-taxpayers.
Deposits are required to secure a seat for the child and payments may be made in MKW at the prevailing rate or in hard currencies (US$, Euro, GBP). All refunds will be made in Malawi Kwacha.
The MK fees will be updated at the start of every invoicing month for the new billing run based on the prevailing rate. Check the table below for invoice dates and more throughout the academic year.
Students will be excluded one week following non-payment of tuition. Late payment will incur a 2% administrative fee per month.
In case their year group is over-subscribed, the excluded student’s place in the school will be held open for a period of one month following the final deadline for payment. Thereafter, the excluded student’s place may be offered to a wait-listed student.
Primary: Pre-K to Grade 6
Secondary: Grades 7 to Grade 10
IB Diploma: Grades 11 and 12
An annual registration fee of US$110 (or equivalent) is payable per individual student. This is non-refundable and will be invoiced with Term 1 fees. A book deposit of US$50 (or equivalent) per student is payable on enrolment. This is refundable (in Malawi Kwacha at the prevailing school rate and less any outstanding charges for lost or damaged equipment) on receipt of the completed checklist of books and equipment.
Tuition fees are based on costs for a whole year and are calculated in US$. From August 2013, a system of “monthly” billing has been in place to help spread payments for families and to avoid the inconvenience and additional administration of arranging ad-hoc repayment terms where temporary cash flow made the payment of termly fees difficult for some families.
Annual fees are invoiced in nine equal installments spread over the period of the academic year. All fees are invoiced in Malawi Kwacha and are due on or before the dates specified in the invoice dates schedule below. Advanced payment of school fees for the term or whole year may be paid in US Dollars, Euros or GB Pounds.
Since the fees are based on costs for the whole year, any temporary withdrawal of a student from school shall not imply suspension of invoicing in relation to that student.
Students joining or leaving at any time of the month shall be liable to a full fee installment for that particular month (or the preceding month in case of non-invoicing months).
Taxpayer parents are those subject to Malawi income taxation on the income that is used to pay school fees. Non-Taxpayer parents have tax-free status in Malawi. Determination of this shall be based on the principal earner’s income i.e. the parent who is the main reason for relocating to Malawi.
Examination entry fees for IB Diploma (Grade 12) are payable by parents at the rate set by the examination authorities. Field trips are charged at cost, as are some voluntary activities where outside facilities or professional coaches are used.
Other Expenses
Cafeteria
School cafeteria services have been outsourced and will begin from the first semester operated by Aretha Thornicroft from Black Pepper.
Uniforms
The school will be ordering uniforms again for the new academic year. The uniform will not change from this year and the school will be stocking polo shirts for the coming year.
For parents who are travelling and wish to pick up uniform it will remain as Navy blue or black tailored trousers – long or short. Navy blue or black pleated or plain skirt, of an appropriate length.
Sports gear will also be available in the uniform.