“Shakaskraal’s fees must fall”

The first day of school at both Shakaskraal Secondary and Primary on Wednesday came to a halt as residents gathered outside the gates to march against the increase in school fees.

Nkobongo township residents said they could not afford the school fees increase, even though it was only R100 for the secondary school and R50 for the primary school.

Fees rose from R950 to R1050 per year at the Secondary school and the Primary fees went from R750 to R800 per year.

Nkobongo councillor Ali Ngidi said the fees were too high and the majority of the people in the township would struggle to make payment.

Another issue brought to attention was the change of school uniforms.

“In Shakaskraal Secondary the new uniforms cost R600, and those pupils who are new in the school were required to pay a R950 admission fee. Now how do you expect the poor residents to afford that?” questioned Ngidi.

He said children were turned away because their parents could not afford the admission fee.

“At the primary school they demanded R400 upfront and if you cannot afford that your child will not be registered,” said Ngidi.

After a long meeting with officials from the KZN Education department and management of the schools, the two parties came to an agreement.

Ngidi said the outcome of the meeting was, with or without the money, every child must be allowed to register.

“Regarding the uniform issue, only the Grade 8 pupils are required to wear the new uniform. It is not compulsory for the other grades,” said Ngidi.

The demonstrators also said they wanted a black principal or deputy principal to be appointed at the schools.

They said this is because these schools are no longer only for Indians and transformation is needed as majority of the pupils are black.

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