Parents aggrieved by ‘absurd’ school stationery lists

With the rising cost of living fuelled by inflation, not only are parents forking out a small fortune for school stationery but some schools are even asking learners to bring their own toilet paper.

Some of the stationery lists, especially those from quintile three schools that don’t require school fees, request that parents purchase a pack of 10 toilet rolls, a box of tissues, two bottles of liquid soap and two reams of white paper.

One stationery list even requests that each learner brings in R50, that was agreed upon in a meeting but doesn’t indicate what the money will be used for.

Concerns raised

Hilton resident and executive director of creative and performing arts at Hilton College Luke Holder said he is concerned about what was being requested by the school of his domestic worker’s children.

The list called for, among other things, two Flip Files, one ream of Rotatrim paper, 12 toilet rolls, an A5 hardcover book, wind up crayons, A4 plastic folder, erasers, sharpeners, pencils and Pritt.

This was all for a Grade One learner.

“My helper has two children and they both attend quintile three schools, which means that these are non-fee-paying schools. So how are parents who can’t afford school fees expected to buy these items? We have taken care of the items for our domestic worker, but the schools are requesting a pack of 12 toilet rolls and a ream of paper. A ream of paper alone is about R90. What is the guarantee that the pupils will be using these items?

“Then my helper was told that if her child does not bring the items, then she will not be able to attend school. Surely this should not stop a child from going to school? We know that in the lower quintile schools, stationery items are being provided by the Department of Education, as per the designation of fund allocations to the schools outlined by government. It is my understanding that this practice constitutes fraud, as allocations to these particular schools are not being spent on learning and teaching support material,” he said.

Holder added he had tried and failed to contact the schools in question, and received no assistance from the local district office.

Another parent, Kim Minnie, said parents are being ripped off as they must purchase stationery, uniforms and still buy toilet rolls and hand soap that is given to the school.

“A whole list for one child adds up to R2 800. On top of buying a new uniform for a Grade Seven pupil, we must still buy a pack of toilet roll and hand soap that is given to the school,” explained Minnie.

Department responds

Department of Education spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi said that learners cannot be stopped from attending school if they do not meet the stationery list requirements.

“The Department of Education hands out stationery to the schools that require them, if they do not have it. It is wrong that some of these schools are asking parents to send in stationery. They also cannot stop pupils from attending class over stationery,” added Mahlambi.

Mpumalanga News reports that MEC for Education Bonakele Majuba urged principals and school governing bodies to ensure that the learning and teaching support materials the department provided is distributed to all the quintiles 1 to 3 learners before the schools reopen.

Majuba made this plea during a state of readiness media briefing for the 2024 school year held on Wednesday. He said under no circumstances should schools in the province withhold stationery.