Minister of Education, Kader Asmal, has promised to look into the problems around payment (or lack of payment) of school fees. He is aware of problems of pupils being turned away from school or denied their results because they have not paid their fees. In the meantime, below is the official policy of the Department of Education. Do you know of any problems with regard to school fees in your area. If you do, write and tell us.
Do I have to pay school fees?The school may ask you to pay school fees. However, if you cannot afford the required amount or can pay a lesser amount, you may write a letter to the School Governing Body (SGB) requesting exemption from paying school fees. The SGB will inform you of its decision. A copy of the regulations dealing with school fees is obtainable at the school. The school must also assist you if you need help with your application for exemption.
How do I appeal against the decision of the SGB? You can lodge an appeal with the Head of Department in the province. S/he will explain the reasons if you were not granted exemption. If it is determined that you can afford to pay the fees, and fail to do so, legal steps can be taken against you to ensure that you pay any outstanding fees.
No child may be refused admission to school due to parents' inability to pay school fees. The school may also not withhold your child's results or exclude him/her from any educational activity if you cannot afford to pay school fees. Taken from the Department of Education's web site
The South African Democratic Teachers Union (Sadtu) responds: Teachers complain that they do not have sufficient funds to administer a fairly run school, resulting in the shifting of the burden to parents through a host of ingenious yet punitive fees/charges.
Some people from management – speaking anonymously – said the authorities fear that when parents rights are promoted, for example with regard to fee exemptions, more parents will take the option and the school will need more funds, which they clearly do not have. The exemption system is premised on the assumption that the majority of people can pay and that those who get an exemption will be the minority. This is patently untrue. The system could be inverted and only those who can afford, be made to pay.
The school may not withhold your child's results or exclude him/her from any educational activity if you cannot afford to pay school fees. Is this your experience? If it is not, write and tell us or phone the toll free number for help if you live in the Gauteng area – 0800 005 175. If they can't resolve the problem. Complain in writing to the Public Protector on 012-322 2915 or 0800 11 20 40.
Source
Numsa News