PARSEE Rustomjee Primary School in Merebank has come under fire for withholding school reports from learners who have not paid their term one school fees, a decision that has stirred concerns among parents who viewed it as a contingent for paying outstanding fees. 

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A mother’s plea

A mother of a Grade Five learner at the school spoke to the SUN, and said she had been denied her child’s report, all because of an outstanding R575 balance, even though she had cleared all her fees from the previous year.

She informed the school that the payment would be made at the end of the month, yet her child’s report was still withheld. The whole situation has left the mother quite distressed, especially since her child had come along, full of anticipation, hoping to get his report that day.

“As a parent not being able to see my child’s report when they are always excited about their report, it was really disappointing to be turned away, especially since they came with me to the school excited to get their report. Also to be told in front of other parents that I cannot get the report because of not being able to pay the fees it was embarrassing to me and my child and his friend who was also there with his mother. I am a single mum of three, so it is difficult. I do always pay the fees by the end of the year, it is so early in the year for them to be withholding reports like I am in arrears, and I am not,” said the parent. 

The financial woes of the school

Addressing the growing unease, Elizabeth Singh, chairperson of the school governing body, explained the school’s financial constraints and its considerable dependence on school fees. 

“As a quintile 5 school, we are a fee-paying institution with a distinct fee structure. Notably, non-fee-paying schools are available for parents who cannot afford our fees. All parents enrolling their children at our school are aware that we are a fee-paying institution. Failure to pay fees would hinder the school’s and governing body’s ability to meet monthly commitments, severely impacting our ability to provide quality public education,” said Singh. 

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Singh further elaborated that the school had, in the past, often cooperated with families, putting in place various payment plans and, at times, even writing off the debt. 

“Our goal is to collaborate with parents to establish a sustainable school. We require parents’ cooperation in this regard. The school is currently owed over R1.4m in outstanding school fees. Our policy is not to exclude learners from school activities due to non-payment of fees. We receive R75 000 per year from the department, which is used to cover stationery and textbooks, leaving us with approximately R21 000 in cash to run the school. Our monthly light bill alone is R21 000. The department’s contribution equates to R179 per child per year, which translates to 91 cents per child per school day. In light of this, it is clear that we cannot survive without the payment of fees from parents,” said Singh. 

Illegal practice

Despite these justifications, Muzi Mahlambi, spokesperson for the KZN Department of Education, stated unequivocally that withholding reports was impermissible, even for institutions that charged fees.

While acknowledging the parental obligation to pay fees at a fee-paying school, he emphasised that withholding reports as a strategic measure or form of punishment was explicitly prohibited.

“A public school has the right to take legal action against a parent who does not pay school fees, but only after the exemption criteria have been applied and the parent is still liable to pay such fees. The learner must remain in school while the case is on,” read a statement on the department of education’s website.

This issue has sparked considerable discussion among parents about school and parent relations. 

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