Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Teachers face probe for allegedly seeking cash at no-fee school
TEACHERS are allegedly scoring an extra buck by making parents pay at a no-fee school in Langa.
The teachers, from Siyabulela Primary School, have not had criminal cases opened against them and are still teaching. The money was allegedly asked of parents every quarter without the knowledge of the school.
This seems to have been happening for some time and the Weekend Argus is in possession of a fake receipt that was given to a parent last year.
Two parents, who asked to remain anonymous as their children are still at the school, said the Grade R teachers made them pay amounts ranging from R200 to R550.
“I was asked to pay R250 and they said R50 is for registration, R200 is for assisting in school maintenance as the government does not have funding to fix the school. R300 was paid by my sister and the teacher said the receipt would be given to the child when going home.”
The mother said the first term ended without the receipt. During the second term last year, the pupil kept saying the teachers were asking for money again.
Some time later, the child came home with a letter from the teacher reminding them that they hadn’t paid school fees. “The letter had no school address and stamp. It had clear instructions that the money must be paid directly to the teacher and not the school admin staff. I went to the teacher to find out and I was told that we have to pay R300 as the money needed is R600.”
Surprised by this, she called the school. That is when she found out that the school had no knowledge of the demands made by the teacher.
Another parent, a social grant beneficiary, used the grant to pay the fees.
“I was told I can pay in instalments since I was struggling. I had to pay because my child said the teachers kept on asking for the money.”
Western Cape Education Department (WCED) spokesperson Bronagh Hammond confirmed that there are teachers who are being investigated by the school governing body (SGB).
“The WCED is aware of the allegations. The school is a no-fee school. It is alleged that the Grade R educators asked Grade R parents for money as a donation. The school governing body is investigating and will deal with the educators (as they are SGB-employed) in terms of their own disciplinary proceedings.”
Chairperson of the SGB and DA councillor Nonqaba Xamle said questions must be sent to the department.
Founder of Parents For Equal Education SA Vanessa le Roux said she was bothered by this because teachers are not allowed to collect school fees.
“The person working with school fees is the financial clerk/bursar. Something doesn’t sound right, and this should be investigated by the WCED, this is a criminal offence.”
She said in a case like this, she would urge parents to open criminal cases.
“There is no way the WCED can just brush it off as if they don’t have any involvement in the matter. Yes, the SGB hires teachers, but it is highly unlikely that a teacher collects school fees. The principal, as the manager of the school and their employee, should account for what is happening at his/her school. Therefore, they must investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.”