Tensions have risen between parents of learners at Estcourt High School and the School Governing Body (SGB), allegedly following a dispute over outstanding school fees which resulted in some learners not receiving their report cards today (December 12).

Parents who approached the Estcourt News after meeting with the SGB said they were shocked to learn that they would not be given the reports due to unpaid school fees.

“We received phone calls telling us to come and collect our children’s reports. But when we arrived, we were told we would not get them because we owe fees. We travel from far away and this puts us in a difficult position,” one parent said.

However, a staff member who spoke to this publication said it was not true that the parents were called by the school. Instead, the parents themselves requested a meeting with the SGB. The school assisted the parents in drafting letters addressed to the SGB to discuss outstanding balances; the parents filled in the letters themselves, requesting a meeting that was held today.

A photo of the letter that was shown to this publication by the school:

The school maintains that the matter of school fee payments is strictly between the SGB and the parents who are in arrears.

It has emerged that the amounts owed vary among parents, with one parent reportedly owing more than R13,000.

Also read: Gift of the Givers gives Estcourt Secondary a ‘jump start’

The issue has allegedly been discussed with parents since Term 1, but remains unresolved.

Some parents who pay their school fees consistently are allegedly also said to be growing frustrated, arguing that it is unfair for them to pay while others do not.

The parents who are in arrears claim they were told that if they are unable to settle the fees, they are welcome to request transfer letters and enroll their children at other schools.

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