The Western Cape Education Department is encouraging parents to apply for an exemption if they cannot pay school fees.
This after national education authorities last week insisted parents continue to pay school fees even though school has been suspended due to the Coronavirus lockdown.
Parents have hit back, questioning why they must pay fees for home-schooling.
On top of this, many have lost their jobs with companies closing, some have had salary cuts while others are not getting paid as their companies are not operating during lockdown.
They also say life has become more expensive as electricity, water and food costs have increased.
WCED spokesperson Bronagh Hammond says the department relies on school fees to fund School Governing Body (SGB) appointments, and paying schools’ running costs like water, electricity, phones and internet access.
In 2018, a total of 86 964 learners applied for exemption, amounting to R58.4m.
She says the department recognises that parents are in financial trouble, but are encouraging mense to pay school fees where possible.
“A letter to principals at the beginning of lockdown from the HOD indicated his view on this and that parents should continue to pay fees,” Hammond explains.
“Many of our schools rely on the collection of school fees to pay SGB staff, and therefore it is imperative for them to continue to collect funds.
“Parents who have been laid off or contracts cancelled and are unemployed can apply for fee exemption. Forms can be collected at schools once they’re-open.
FUND: Bronagh Hammond
“It is important that parents fill in these forms if they qualify; these forms are then sent to the WCED.”
Parents qualify for exemption if the school fees are more than 10% of the parents’ combined annual salary.
“They can apply for partial exemption if the fees represent between 2% and 10% of their annual salary depending on the number of children they have at a fee-paying, public school.”
Parents commenting on the Daily Voice Facebook page were not happy with the WCED’s instruction that they continue to pay school fees during the lockdown.
Mom Carmen Barkhuis says in addition to home-schooling, she is also working from home.
“I’m paying a school a lot of money for two kids so that I can receive their work on a weekly basis during lockdown. The volume of work sent is appalling. And I have work to do as well. This is not fair at all. It costs us money and time that we hardly have.”
Mom Nabeelah Sonday suggested SGB-appointed teachers apply for UIF: “My kids have been eating more than usual, we have been using more water, electricity, gas, etc. than we would per month. So understand from our point of view as parents (that) while we appreciate the teachers and what they do for our kids, we just cannot afford it.”
Anita Brits du Toit says she is not getting a salary: “My company’s policy is no work, no pay. My policy is no pay, no school fees.”
Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga said the department has considered scrapping the June and September school holidays to make up for lost time, but this has yet to be confirmed.
In the Western Cape, 105 528 Grade 1 pupils started school this year, and 52 313 Grade 12 pupils are hoping to complete Matric.