According to the parent he handed in the application for exemption of school fees by the end of January with a number of supporting documentation.
“My wife delivered the application to the school and after about two months, she was contacted and told that the bank statements were not sufficient and new ones were needed.”
He says that the next day his wife was asked to submit proof that she did not have her own bank account, which she faxed through to the school.
The next day they were then asked for proof of their homeloan, which was submitted.
“On April 8, I was contacted by the school and told that I needed to fill in a complete application form. The forms were then given to my daughter.”
He says that he told his wife to return the forms to the school, which she did and informed the school that they have already filled in forms.
He then received a letter on April 17, stating that their application for exemption of fees was denied.
“I was not given any notice of right to appeal in this letter,” he says.
He adds that on May 6, his daughter received a slip from the post office to collect a registered letter.
“It was a letter from the school stating that we had seven days to settle their account of R5 245, or the account would be handed over for collection.”
Phumla Sekhonyane, spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education, says that the school cannot refuse to offer a parent a fee exemption provided the parent qualifies for such.
“It is important to note that the parent must apply annually for school fee exemption. Parents can apply for fee exemptions by obtaining application forms from the school.”
Should parent lose their job in the middle of the year, and are unable to continue paying school fees, they can still apply for fee exemption.
Sekhonyane adds that the parent may also apply for a conditional grant.
“Fee exemption does not apply at independent schools, but if a parent is unable to pay the fees at an independent school the GDE can assist in placing the learner at a public school.
“The parent can then apply to the public school for school fee exemption,” adds Sekhonyane.
She says that they will contact the parents to find a solution to the situation.
