School reports not issued over unpaid fees

DESPITE repeated warnings about the illegality of schools withholding reports, some parents are still facing this issue.

It has also emerged that a Durban high school is demanding a R3 000 re-registration fee from pupils for 2019, contrary to regulations.

Vee Gani, chairperson of the South Durban region of the KZN Parents Association, said it was illegal for schools to withhold reports on the basis of unpaid fees.

“It’s also illegal for schools to not allow pupils to return the following year unless they pay a registration fee this year. We have received a number of complaints about this from parents,” he said.

Gani said schools should liaise with parents concerning unpaid fees.

“Transfer cards are also withheld until fees are paid. This is illegal and unfair to the child who is not responsible for school fees,” he said.

Gani added it was a concern that many parents did not pay school fees.

“Although we have sympathy for parents who are unemployed, if you don’t pay, how are schools supposed to operate?” he said.

A woman who lives off a disability grant was refused her child’s report card and a transfer from a Mayville primary school due to unpaid fees.

She said she was told by the principal not to pay fees after detailing her situation, but was puzzled when her child was refused her report and transfer card.

The documents were given to her yesterday after she stood her ground.

Education Department spokesperson Scelo Khuzwayo said no principal was allowed to withhold the results of any pupil regardless of the situation.

“We ask parents to report these cases to the department so that pupils can be assisted. We condemn this and encourage parents to come forward,” he said.

Another parent said his son did not receive his report over an outstanding amount of R1500.

It was not until his pastor told the school it was illegal to withhold the child’s report that he received the document.

“I have been unemployed for over a year. On Monday I signed payment arrangement documents with the school, yet my son on Wednesday phoned me from school to say he did not get his report.”

The man said the school also wanted a R1 000 re-registration fee, much like Rev Vernon Hammond whose son’s school asked for a R3000 re-registration fee.

“Last year I paid this money thinking I was paying for stationery. My fees are always paid and the balance cleared at the end of the year. I have been trying to get through to the school, but have received no response,” he said.