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Media Release

19 June, 2006

W Cape scraps fees in 419 schools

PARENTS of almost 150,000 learners attending 419 primary schools in the Western Cape will no longer have to worry about monies for school fees. This after the Western Cape Education Department (WCED) has allocated R29-million to fund the introduction of no fee schools during the 2006/07 financial year, focusing on the poorest schools.

The department plans to allocate R139-million in 2007/08 and R237-million in 2008/09 to expand the no fee initiative to cover more schools over the next three years.

Schools are ranked for funding purposes in five quintiles, based on the relative poverty of the communities surrounding the schools. Schools in quintile one are situated in the poorest communities, while those in quintile five are situated in the least poor communities. The 419 schools that have opted for no fee status so far are in quintile one.

The WCED is allocating R527 per learner to cover the first phase of the initiative in 2006. The department plans to expand the programme to cover 37.6% of learners in 2007, while increasing the allocation to at least R554 per learner.

The WCED plans to increase allocations per learner in 2008, based on the poverty rankings of the schools they are attending. The department plans to allocate R772 per learner at schools on quintile one, R711 in quintile two and R581 in quintile three.

This morning at a special function, Premier Ebrahim Rasool and Education MEC Cameron Dugmore handed over a cheque of R328,350.00 to the Paulus Joubert Primary School in Paarl, which is one of the schools that have opted for "no fee status".

Said MEC Dugmore: "The Provincial Government of the Western Cape has decided to introduce the policy early in 2006 as part of the Premier’s Siyabulela service delivery campaign.

"The WCED invited more 424 schools to opt for no fee status earlier this year. In the end, 419 schools applied to become no fee schools. About 146,000 learners attend these schools, representing about 15.9% of the total number of learners in the Western Cape. No fee status took effect at these schools from 1 May 2006.

"The allocation to Paulus Joubert Primary School will increase from R243,775 in September 2005 to R524,365 in 2006/07, thanks to the schools new "no-fee" status. In effect, the allocation per learner at the school has increased from R282 per learner to R527.

"The Education Laws Amendment Bill is an important provision in realizing both the vision of the Freedom Charter – that the doors of learning and culture be opened – and the Constitution, to expand access to basic education.

"The introduction of no fee schools now means that parents no longer have to apply for exemption from paying school fees at no fee schools if they cannot afford them. A we roll out "no fee" schools, it remains the duty of principals at schools where fees apply to continue informing parents of their right to apply for full or partial exemption.

"No school may refuse entry to a learner because their parents cannot afford the fees. Where fees are charged, parents must continue paying these fees, and should attend annual budget meetings and contribute to determining fees. They have a right to full information on how the school budget is being used."

For enquiries, contact Gert Witbooi:  082 550 3938.


Issued by:
Gert Witbooi
Media Liaison Secretary
Office of the MEC for Education
Western Cape
E-mail: gwitbooi@pgwc.gov.za
Tel: 021 467 2523
Fax: 021 425 5689

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