Number of fund-raising events frustrating parents

SOME parents believe schools are placing business ahead of education for their children.

Hayley Cloete, whose child attends a school in Mitchells Plain, said the schools in her area are having weekly fund-raising events.

“There were times we could cater, but as things changed, so did the economy. Circumstance makes it difficult for us as parents to keep up with what could be done in the past.

“Our households are becoming expensive, and the salaries stay the same. It has even decreased or (some have) no income. Most of us can’t afford the extras/luxuries or spoils anymore, even if we wanted to.

“Our children are young and innocent. They don’t know of the hardship parents endure to keep them happy, even if it’s the last we give, but at times we really can’t. Kids get mentally affected, withdrawn, embarrassed, angry and rebellious,” she said.

“They will ask questions such as why can’t they participate? Why can’t they buy things? Or why can’t they have fun like other kids? They don’t want to understand, and this is where they sometimes act out as well.”

Leonardo Stoffberg, whose child attends a school in Blue Downs, said: “I feel schools should have fundraisers as they help with expenses. However, having fund-raising events every week is a bit too much as parents can’t always assist with money, especially if it is not in their budget,” he said.

Nicole Madzime, whose children attend a school in Kuils River, said so far for their year, their school had had a Valentine’s Day event, food fair and market day.

“The problem I have is the school has things in the middle of the month, and in our household, we both get paid at the end of the month.

“When the school has a food fair, they would ask pupils to donate something towards the event. However, why must parents give something towards the food fair? Then we still need to give out money on the day and for casual wear. I think this is a bit too much to give out.”

A Mitchells Plain teacher, who wanted to remain anonymous, said due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the pressure to raise money had increased.

“Teachers are forced to become creative in raising funds, whether it is character days, pyjama days or popcorn and movie days.

“As a teacher, I have to beg and plead with parents to please support and donate, knowing that many of them have financial constraints,” she said.

Founder and coordinator of Parents for Equal Education SA Vanessa le Roux said the reality was that schools were under-resourced, and to make ends meet, they had to make use of fundraisers.

“Parents must come on board and come with fresh ideas that don’t necessarily place the burden on them. However, schools should also approach corporates, businesses in the area and find other means of fund-raising which will lighten the burden on the parents. Schools need the money in order for them to function properly as the budgets allocated by the department are simply not enough,” she said.

Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said: “We support schools who are making genuine efforts to make the school environment better for their community and their pupils. There are countless schools that participate in fund-raising initiatives, if not all schools in the province in some shape or form.

“Covid-19 has had a great impact on our schools and their ability to generate funds. Functions at schools had been cancelled during the (national) state of disaster, and the ability to rent out school premises was not allowed. Fund-raising supplements many good initiatives in schools as well as school governing posts,” she said.