IF PARENT CAN'T PAY, PUPIL CAN'T BE EXCLUDED
If one looks at the S.A. Schools Act, Section 39 (5): "No public school may charge any registration, administration or other fee except school fees.
Section 41 (7); "A learner may not be deprived of his/her right to participate in all aspects of the programme of a public school despite the non-payment of school fees by his/her parent and may not be victimised in any manner, including, but not limited to the following conduct:
(a) Suspension from classes;
(b) Verbal or non-verbal abuse;
(c) Denial of access to -
1. cultural, sporting or social activities of the school; or
2. the nutrition program me of the school for those learners who qualify in terms of the applicable policy, or
(d) Denial of a school report or transfer certificate."
So, in terms of the Law, when a parent cannot afford to pay for fees or a tour, the pupil cannot be denied access to the tour.
The School Governing Body would need to consider what the fees cover and this would need to be relayed to parents at the annual general meeting or via a newsletter.
If one considers the guidelines for uniforms, the minimum requirements are clearly spelt out.
Schools are given top-ups of text books by Provincial departments, and this cost need not necessarily be borne by parents, as pupils can return books for re-use.
- Cathy Callaghan, secretary of the Governors' Alliance, a public school governing body association.
Legislation in South African Schools Act 84 0f 1996 (as amended) states
regulations
regulations
regarding the exemption of parents from payment of fees and so on.
If one looks at the S.A. Schools Act, Section 39 (5): "No public school may charge any registration, administration or other fee except school fees.
Section 41 (7); "A learner may not be deprived of his/her right to participate in all aspects of the programme of a public school despite the non-payment of school fees by his/her parent and may not be victimised in any manner, including, but not limited to the following conduct:
(a) Suspension from classes;
(b) Verbal or non-verbal abuse;
(c) Denial of access to -
1. cultural, sporting or social activities of the school; or
2. the nutrition program me of the school for those learners who qualify in terms of the applicable policy, or
(d) Denial of a school report or transfer certificate."
So, in terms of the Law, when a parent cannot afford to pay for fees or a tour, the pupil cannot be denied access to the tour.
The School Governing Body would need to consider what the fees cover and this would need to be relayed to parents at the annual general meeting or via a newsletter.
If one considers the guidelines for uniforms, the minimum requirements are clearly spelt out.
Schools are given top-ups of text books by Provincial departments, and this cost need not necessarily be borne by parents, as pupils can return books for re-use.
- Cathy Callaghan, secretary of the Governors' Alliance, a public school governing body association.
