Department calls out haggling over school fees payment

The Department of Education has urged schools not to refuse children’s registration due to parents’ inability to pay registration fees.

Education department reported that it was inundated with calls from parents whose children have not been able to register due to their inability to pay registration fees.

The department urged schools “to refrain from this illegal practice adding unnecessary pressure on the parents”. Parents facing this challenge were encouraged to report this to the education provincial and district offices.

Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga said children not being able to be at schools on time affected their education negatively.

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He said fee-paying schools that were funded by the government needed to sort out payment arrangements with parents while children continued to be at school.

Gauteng department spokespersons Steve Mabona said the department was able to intervene mainly with public schools but could not intervene with private schools.

Mabona encouraged parents to make arrangements with the school managements on time, for school children not to be left behind with their school work.

“It is a responsibility of a parent to approach a school to make necessary payment arrangements in the event of any challenge.

“People can’t wait for a school to implement action then want to react. Prior arrangements are encouraged. Indeed non-payment will impact badly on the smooth running of a school,” he said.

On Monday, the department welcomed about 2.3-million learners to the classrooms.

Gauteng education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said the province had all the furniture, textbooks and stationery ready to ensure teaching and learning.

Lesufi was, however, concerned about some 3 000 learners who did not return to school last year.

“The districts will be consolidating current attendance figures and compare the same with the previous year, to verify the accurate number of learners who might have dropped out.”

Other Gauteng MECs visited schools across the province and were all impressed with the state of readiness of Gauteng schools to begin the academic year on the first day.

However, there were two incidents reported in the province with some parents protesting over the placements of their children.

Some parents visited the Tshwane West district office and Akasia Primary School and protested to highlight their frustration with the admissions process.

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