BMIS School Fees 2019-20
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.
(a) Classes
Primary: Reception to Year 6 (US: up to Grade 5)
Secondary: Year 7 to Year 11 (US: Grades 6 to 10)
IB Diploma: Year 12 and 13 (US: Grades 11 to 12)
(b) Tax
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 principals earner’s income i.e. the parent who is the main reason for relocating to Malawi.
(c) Fees: general information
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 instalments 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.
Annual Tuition fees applicable from August 2019
| School Section | Tax-Payer | Non-Tax-Payer |
|---|---|---|
| Primary | $ 9 945 or MK 7 329 465 | $ 16 434 or MK 12 111 858 |
| Secondary | $ 14 256 or MK 10 506 672 | $ 23 499 or MK 17 318 673 |
| Diploma | $ 15 327 or MK 11 295 999 | $ 25 110 or MK 18 506 070 |
The MK fees will be updated at the start of every invoicing month for the new billing run based on the prevailing rate. Next update on Malawi Kwacha will be on 1st November 2019.
Invoice dates
The following table shows the nine sets of invoice, reminder, due and exclusion dates for the 2019/2020 academic year.
| Invoice date | 1st Reminder | 2nd Reminder | Due date | Exclusion deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st August 2019 | 8th August 2019 | 15th August 2019 | 26th August 2019 | 2nd September 2019 |
| 2nd September 2019 | 9th September 2019 | 16th September 2019 | 25th September 2019 | 1st October 2019 |
| 1st October 2019 | 8th October 2019 | 16th October 2019 | 25th October 2019 | 1st November 2019 |
| 1st November 2019 | 8th November 2019 | 15th November 2019 | 26th November 2019 | 2nd December 2019 |
| 2nd January 2020 | 9th January 2020 | 16th January 2020 | 24th January 2020 | 3rd February 2020 |
| 3rd February 2020 | 10th February 2020 | 17th February 2020 | 25th February 2020 | 4th March 2020 |
| 2nd March 2020 | 9th March 2020 | 16th March 2020 | 25th March 2020 | 1st April 2020 |
| 1st April 2020 | 8th April 2020 | 15th April 2020 | 24th April 2020 | 4th May 2020 |
| 4th May 2020 | 11th May 2020 | 18th May 2020 | 25th May 2020 | 1st June 2020 |
In terms of exclusions and on the basis of the 30 days’ notice before the next invoicing date that is required to be given by a student who is permanently leaving BMIS, excluded students will still be invoiced for the month subsequent to their exclusion, and re-in-statement at a later time will require settlement of all the charges outstanding at that point.
In the 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.
(d) Students joining and leaving during the school year
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).
(e) Registration Fee and Deposit
With effect from 1st April 2013, all new families registering with BMIS will be subject to the following deposits:
| Tax-Payer | Non-Tax Payer | |
|---|---|---|
| Infrastructure development fund contribution (first child) | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| Infrastructure development fund contribution (second and subsequent children) | $500 | $1,000 |
| Enrolment refundable deposit (after giving 30 days' notice of withdrawal before the next invoicing date) | $1,500 | $2,500 |
Deposits are required to secure a seat for the child and payments may be made in MKW at the prevailing rate or in hard currencies (US$, Euro, GBP). All refunds will be made in Malawi Kwacha.
The development fund contribution is payable unless there is already a brother or sister (not cousin or other relative) already enrolled at the school who paid a family registration fee under the old system.
(f) Annual Registration Fee
An annual registration fee of US$100 (or equivalent) is payable per individual student. This is non-refundable and will be invoiced with Term 1 fees. Families who already have a child studying at BMIS and who have already paid the Family Deposit, will not be required to pay an additional registration fee for infrastructural development. The then family deposit only covers the enrolment of a brother or sister (not a cousin or other relative) already enrolled in the school. 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.
(g) Other fees
Examination entry fees for IB Diploma (Year 13) 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
Children in Years 3, 4 5 and 6 may go to the cafeteria at 1st and 2nd break to buy snacks and drinks. Children from Reception to Year 2 are only allowed to go to the cafeteria with a parent or guardian at the end of the day. The cafeteria offers a range of healthy snacks and drinks and also offers a “Special” meal each day. The “Special” meals for the week are advertised in our weekly newsletter “Mawa” to help you plan ahead.
The school provides a limited water supply through dispensers. However, we recommend that parents make sure that their children have adequate supplies of healthy drinks or water and snacks to last the full day, especially if they are taking part in the After School Activities programme.
Uniforms
Various uniforms (i.e. class, sports & house colours) can be purchased from the school’s uniform shop in the same block as the school clinic, next to the upper hall. Depending on a child’s age, uniform prices range from (Kwacha equivalent) $13 to $16 (golf shirt), $8 to $16 (t-shirt), $25 (trousers), $15 to $16 (skirts & girl’s swimwear), $8 to $11 (boy’s swimwear), $33 (short sleeved sports kit), $18 (sleeveless sports kit) and $15 (sports shorts).