School fee refund troubles for parent
Kashmita Moodley, a Boksburg mother, has raised her concerns over her rescinded contract with the Junior Academy.
According to Moodley, she enrolled her 17-month-old daughter in the school on June 2, but on June 4 her daughter got ill and she subsequently decided to rescind the contract and remove her daughter from the school.
“When my husband went to the school on June 6, he was informed that the money we had paid would not be refunded and that we needed to get hold of the owner, who could only be contacted via e-mail.”
She says that she e-mailed the owner on June 7, and informed her that she wanted to rescind the contract.
“My husband was contacted by the principal and told that a month’s notice needed to be given when taking a child out of the school. She went on to tell my husband that we should have opted for a day rate.”
Moodley says that nowhere in the contract did it state that there was a day rate option and that they were never informed of this option.
She adds that she has e-mailed the owner on several occasions but the owner refuses to speak with her directly and instead allows the principal to communicate with her.
“I understand that there are clauses in the contract but I also know that those clauses are subject to law. I was told by the principal that I can do whatever I want but I am not getting any money back.”
She adds that in her opinion it is very unethical for schools to behave in such a manner.
Suretha Barnard, the school’s owner, says that the contract that the mother is referring to where you have a “cooling off period” or a rescinding period is not applicable in this case.
“Clients are not buying a house or a car from us, where you do in fact have a rescinding period.
“The contract is effective from a specific date and in fact protects both parties. Keeping both parties to specific terms or conditions, we have to provide the care and look after the children from the enrollment date, as the parents need to comply with the paying of fees and adhering to notice periods.”
She adds that they also did not force anybody to enroll their child with them.
“Parents enroll their children with us out of free will and agree to the terms of our enrollment form by signing it themselves.”
She adds that on no papers or documentation they hand to parents are day fees indicated, as they do not accommodate children on a day-to-day basis.
All children are enrolled full-time and trail periods are not an option.
“We have a flat monthly fee rate for different age groups irrespective of time of collection or attendance. We do, however, charge parents a pro rata fee if they join with us after the 15th of the month,” says Barnard.
She says that the principals at their schools run the school in all its aspects.
“The principal will inform the owner of any situation that occurred at the school that is out of the ordinary.”
They report directly to the owner and need to give feedback on all aspects of the school on a regular basis.
The principal is the person who keeps in contact with the parents as she is familiar with them and it is expected from her.
The principal is also familiar with the terms and conditions and is able to clarify information to parents who may not understand it.
“Our enrollment form and the terms therein were not merely put together by uninformed or unqualified people.
“It is a legal document stating very clearly terms and conditions between the school and parents.” – @CarmenBoksburg
