Public/Government schools cannot refuse you if school fees have not been paid. Private schools have their own policies in their contracts which you would have read upon registration.

If you are struggling to pay school fees rather approach the school, perhaps apply for an exemption.

A public school has the right to take legal action against a parent who does not pay school fees, but only after the exemption criteria have been applied and the parent is still liable to pay such fees. The learner must remain in school while the case is on.

A learner cannot be excluded from participation in any official school programmes due to non-payment of school fees by the parent. A school may not retain a learner’s report because the parent cannot afford to pay school fees.
The exemption from payment of school fees is a mechanism government has put in place to assist parents to access quality education for their children, irrespective of their background or financial constraints. Exemptions must be calculated retrospectively from the beginning of the year, if the parent qualifies.

Parents who cannot afford to pay school fees must apply to the SGB for conditional,partial or full exemption from paying school fees. Application forms can be obtained from the SGB through the principal of a school. Public schools must inform parents of the criteria and procedures and assist them in applying for exemption from paying school fees. The SGB must inform the applicant of the outcome of the application in writing within 7 days after assessing the application for exemption.

Schools must not charge school fees for orphans.

If a parent is not satisfied with the SGB decision related to full or partial exemption, he/she may appeal to the Head of Department against the decision of the school within 30 days after receiving the school’s decision. It is the responsibility of every public school to assist the parents in lodging appeals.

That is not legal to expel a learner because he hasn't paid his fees...but it is hard to let a learner continue studying for free whereas other learners have paid,I hope that makes some sense to you

No. In terms of the Schools Act, no student may be refused admission to a public school on the grounds that his or her parent or caregiver is unable to pay, or has not paid, school fees.

It is also illegal for a school to refuse to allow a child to take part in the school's sporting, cultural or social activities – such as the matric dance – on the grounds that fees have not been paid, or to retain the child's report.