The South African Schools Act of 1996 requires all children between the ages of 7 and 15 to attend school. All parents and guardians must make sure that all learners of this age are registered to go to school. As a parent, your relationship with the school starts on the day that you decide to register your child with a particular school. This relationship is defined by a set of rights and responsibility towards the school.

When and where do I register my child?

You should register your child as soon as possible in a school near your home or workplace in the year before the child starts school, or another appropriate school depending on subject choices. We strongly advise parents not to wait until the end of the year, because schools of choice may be full.

Can I register my child at any school even if it is not near my home or workplace?

Yes, you can register your child at any public school. However, most schools give first preference to children whose parents live or work near the school.

What do I need to know before I register my child?

The principal of the school must give you the admissions policy of the school and explain it to you. You should also ask which language/s are used for teaching at the school and decide if that is suitable for your child.

A public school may not administer any test for admission to a school. A test may only be used for deciding which courses or programmes your child should do at the school.

Which documents are required when making an application?

• Birth Certificate; and
• Immunisation card; and
• Transfer card or last school report card for learners who have been to school previously. (Note that baptismal certificates will not be regarded as proof of birth date.)

What additional documents are required if I am not a South African citizen?

• Study permit; and
• Temporary or permanent residence permit form the Department of Home Affairs; or
• Evidence that you have applied for permission to stay in South Africa

How do I know if my child has been accepted at the school?

The provincial Department of Education, through the school principal, must inform you about the outcome of your application.

What can I do if my child is refused admission to a school?

You can request a written explanation from the provincial department, through the school principal. If you are not satisfied with the reasons given for the decision, you may lodge a written appeal to the MEC for Education in the province.

What is a school governing body?

A school governing body is a structure that governs the school. It stands in a position of trust towards the school. It is made up of the principal, elected representatives of educators, non-educator staff, parents and learners in the case of secondary schools.

How do I get elected to represent other parents on the governing body?

You can represent other parents on a governing body if you are nominated and voted for by parents.

How do I get to know about the election process?

The principal of the school is required by law to provide all parents with information about the election of parents onto the governing body.

What happens if I'm not elected onto the school governing body?

Even if you are not elected onto the school governing body, you still have the RIGHT to be involved in the affairs of the school through attending meetings of parents.

You also have the RIGHT to be consulted by the educators or the principal about the schooling activities of our child. The principal and the educators at the school must timeously notify you about the behaviour, attendance and learning progress of you child.

What are my responsibilities as a parent with regard to payment of school fees?

Besides for "no-fee" schools (see elsewhere), there are still some schools, which charge school fees in order to supplement the funds provided by the department.

As a parent you are responsible for paying your child's school fees. If you cannot afford part of or the entire amount, you must apply for exemption as soon as possible from the school governing body. The school governing body will assess your situation and let you know of its decision.

Note that, if you have not been exempted from paying and it is determined that you can afford to pay school fees and you fail to do so, legal steps may be taken against you to ensure that you pay any outstanding amount.

A copy of the regulations dealing with school fees is obtainable at the school. The school must also assist you if you need help with your application for exemption.

Can my child's school report be withheld?

If it is determined that you can afford to pay the fees, and fail to do so, legal steps can be taken against you to ensure that you pay any outstanding fees.

However, no child may be refused admission to school due to a parent not paying fees. The school may also not withhold your child's results or exclude him/her any educational activity if you cannot afford to pay school fees.

How can I contribute towards the development of the school?

The South African Schools Act gives the school governing body the responsibility to strive for the development of the school. There are many ways in which the school governing body can do this. One of the ways is to encourage parents, learners, educators and other staff to render voluntary services to the school.

As a parent, you have a responsibility to contribute towards the development of the school by rendering services to the school. This may include making yourself available to participate in the activities of the school such as the maintenance of school property, auditing of financial statements, managing sports events etc

How can I keep abreast of the developments at the school?

Parents of learners must take responsibility for attending school meetings that are organised for them. The school governing body is legally bound to report to the parents of learners at the school form time to time and should keep parents informed about issues that affect them.