VRYHEID KZN: DA disregards withholding of report cards due to non-payment

Editor –

With several parents raising complaints with the DA over the withholding of report cards due to non-payment of school fees – or not returning textbooks or both – school principals should immediately be notified by KZN Education MEC Kwazi Mshengu’s office that such a practice is deemed illegal.

This much should already be known by principals and there should be no need for annual repetition. This kind of peremptory action must be condemned in the strongest of terms.

While the DA understands that there has to be a balance between arranging to pay school fees by parents and the school’s responsibility to collect these, parents cannot be strong-armed into doing so, particularly since it is unlawful to do so.

This is clearly stated in Section 25(12) and Section 25(13) of the National Protocol on Assessment 2011. This regulation applies to both public and independent schools from Grade R to 12. Section 25(12) states that the parents or guardians have the right of access to report cards of their children. Meanwhile, Section 25(13) states that schools may not withhold report cards from learners for any reason whatsoever.

We know there are many parents who have fallen on hard times given the recent massive job losses. We also acknowledge that schools are obliged to collect fees to ensure their own financial health.

Notwithstanding this, principals and school governing bodies must allow parents/guardians to enter into payment agreements and acknowledgements of debt to recover funds. Compromise is key if we are to ensure the education of our young people.

Dr Imran Keeka, MPL (DA KZN spokesperson on Education)

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