Botswana has announced the reintroduction of fees in its state secondary schools after more than 20 years of free education.
The measure will affect over 170,000 children aged between 13 and 18.
The government says the move is part of a cost-cutting exercise because of falling revenues.
Botswana's Education Minister, Jacob Nkate, described the new fees as "a pittance" and said that parents had a duty to share the burden of the cost.
Pupils at Community Secondary Schools will pay 194 pula ($36) a year, while a year at a senior secondary school will cost 452 pula ($84).
Opponents of the charges, including teaching unions, say the fees will deter parents from sending their children to school.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Families will be means tested and there will be some exemptions for the poorest.
The BBC's Lucas Letlhogile in Gaborone says rising unemployment means that many poor people will not be able to afford fees, and that rural farmers with an irregular income will be worst affected.
He says the government has been trying, through the media, to create the impression that most citizens are keen to pay fees.
South African promises
Meanwhile, in neighbouring South Africa there are concerns over the government's failure to provide free schools to the poorest children, despite repeated promises.
As schools reopen after the summer holidays, Education Minister Naledi Pandor has said the government is committed to introducing no-fee schools in the poorest neighbourhoods.
"Ensuring access to education for all in our country remains a priority," Mrs Pandor said, pointing out that two provinces had started to identify schools to be declared no-fee schools.
But critics pointed out that an initiative to offer free schooling to 40% of South African pupils was first promised in 2002, but had not yet been put into practice.
"The ministry of education is highly irresponsible," South African Democratic Teachers' Union general secretary Thulas Nxesi told The Star newspaper.
"We had hoped that the figure would be more than 40% by now."
^ Back to top | BBC Sport Home | BBC Homepage | Contact us | Help | ©