Cost of education at local schools: here’s a summary
School funds for primary schools vary between R800 and R915 per month per learne, fees for high schools are between R1 050 and R1 280 per month per learner
The cost to parents of their children’s education does not stop with the payment of school fees; uniforms, stationery and many other items still need to be purchased, and often parents struggle to successfully meet the financial demands.
Review spoke to four schools in the city – two primary schools and two high schools – to find out what the costs of kitting a child out for school are.
School funds for primary schools vary between R800 and R915 per month per learner for 11 months, while school fees for high schools are between R1 050 and R1 280 per month per learner payable over 11 months.
Education department spokesperson Phuti Seloba said school funds were determined by the school governing body (SGB).
Hoërskool Pietersburg SGB chairperson, Mannie Kruger, said the government paid for one teacher for about 70 children.
To make classes smaller, SGB appointed more teachers whose salaries had to be paid by the SGB. “We also pay other staff like administrative staff,” he added.
Many high schools in the city have different school uniforms for summer and winter, and formal as well as everyday uniforms.
Sportswear also has to be purchased.
The cost of all these items of clothing, which include skirts, shirts, trousers, and blazers, average between R1 400 and R2 000 per child.
Primary school uniforms are a little less costly at between R650 and R950 per child.
Added to this, many schools have additional costs for certain subjects, and a list of stationery that is compulsory.
This could cost a parent an additional R600.
While many parents spoken to bemoaned the costs of education locally, many also felt local schools had excellent teachers and what they paid was in line with the quality education their kids received.
