THE academic year is in full swing, yet high school learners from at least four no-fee schools in Komani, who have failed to pay a registration fee, have not been allowed to enter the school’s premises.
Luthando Lingela, founder of local NPO, Pioneers of Hope, which aims at bringing hope to the community by helping people with mental health issues, said the learners at these no-fee schools were being charged a minimum of R200 to register for the new school year. These learners are also charged R150 for late registration if they do not pay within the expected time frame.
Lingela said the learners that were unable to pay for registration had been barred from the school. Out of frustration he posted the issue on Facebook and was shocked to see many parents with similar stories.
“Some children and parents came forth with details which meant that they were crying inside because they do not know who could rescue them. All we need now is for children to be seated and ready for their studies. We do not need children worrying about their parents not being able to pay for registration,” said Lingela.
Adding to the learners’ burdens, Lingela said, at one of the one of the high schools they were asked to buy Typek printing paper.
“Parents receive R400 in social grant money, but they are expected to pay between R200 and R350 for registration. They still have to survive the rest of the month after using most of their grant money,” he said.
Lingela did, however, mention that despite not being able to pay for registration, parents pleaded with the principals and some of the learners were allowed to return to school.
After doing research about the issue, Lingela said a teacher at one of the schools mentioned that the money was used for the salaries of student governing body (SGB) teachers.
Eastern Cape Education Department spokesperson, Loyiso Pulumani, said that some of the principals at various no-fee schools had mentioned that they had meetings with the parents last year to discuss raising funds for the school.
He further said, the SGB has a responsibility to raise funds and the parents who were present at the meeting decided it would be a good idea for each learner to donate a specific amount.
“The school is operating within the law when they raise funds in this manner, but it is a problem when kids are barred from school because their parents cannot afford to donate money to the school,” said Pulumani. “Schools that bar learners from the school are not complying with the regulations and they are acting illegally.”
According to Pulumani, the law states that school teachers or principals are not allowed to bar learners from the school, withhold reports or withhold books when their school fees are not up to date.
He advised parents to contact the Eastern Cape Department of Education on their toll-free number 080 121 2570 if their children had been barred from school because they had not paid a donation towards the school.They should also contact their nearest circuit management centre.
