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Media Release

15 October, 2002


Payment of School Fees

Statement by André Gaum, Western Cape Education Minister

In terms of the South African Schools Act (1996), school governing bodies are responsible for drawing up school budgets, and setting school fees.

The majority of parents of children at a school must approve the budget and the fees at a general meeting of the parent body.

Once parents have agreed to the fees in terms of the law, they are legally obliged to pay the fees, unless they have obtained exemption or partial exemption from paying the fees.

Parents can apply for full exemption if their joint annual income amounts to less than 10 times the annual school fee.

(For example, if the annual school fee is R100, and they earn less than R10 000 a year, they can apply for full exemption.)

Parents must pay the fees in full if their joint annual income is more than 30 times the annual fee.

(For example, if they earn R30 000 or more, and the annual school fee is R100, they must pay the fee in full).

Parents can appeal to the provincial Head of Education if the school’s governing body turns down an application for exemption or partial exemption from paying school fees.

If parents have not been granted exemption from paying fees, the governing body may use legal means to obtain the payment.

The WCED has provided guidelines to schools on how to assist parents who are unable to pay school fees. Schools are required by law to assist parents in this situation. We advise parents who may not be able to pay school fees to apply for exemption or partial exemption.

It is the responsibility of parents in this situation to approach the school to apply for exemption.


Media inquiries:
Ruhan Robbertze
Cell: 082 577 6551
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