Exemptions from Payment of 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 form 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 in writing within 7 days after assessing the application for exemption. Schools must not charge school fees for orphans. Schools cannot refuse access to 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.

Voluntary Contributions

Any parent, including those granted any type of exemption, can make voluntary contribution to the school fund. Contributions can be in the form of money, in kind or in the form of any service a parent may render to a school.

Assistance to Parents Applying for Exemption

Each public school is encouraged to establish a School Fees Committee. The chairperson of this committee must be a member of the SGB. The function of the committee is to administer all issues pertaining to school fees such as collection of school fees, reporting to the SGB on income from school fees and to assist parents apply for school fee exemptions. The committee adjudicates the applications for exemption and provides the SGB with recommendations.

A parent who, for whatever reason, needs assistance to apply for exemption or lodge an appeal, may request the school fees committee chairperson or any member of the School Fees Committee to assist him/her in the application.

If no assistance is given to the parent after he/she has requested it, the principal of the school concerned must assist the parent in such an application or appeal if requested to do so by the parent.

No applicant may be disqualified on the ground that his/her application form is either incomplete or incorrectly completed. The School Fees Committee must respond in writing to the parents on the outcome of their application within 14 days of applying.

Appeals for Declined Exemptions

A parent whose application has been declined by the SGB has the right to lodge an appeal with the HOD of that province within 30 days after notification of that decision. The principal or School fees Committee must offer a parent this opportunity and assistance by providing and explaining the appeal form to the parent.

The parent appealing must provide the HOD with:

  • Reasons for appeal
  • All relevant information pertaining to the appeal

The HOD must:

  • Within 14 days after receipt of the documentation from the parent notify the SGB chairperson of the appeal that has been lodged.
  • Inform the SGB that it cannot take any action against the parent until appeal is heard
  • Within 7 days of deciding on the appeal, inform the SGB and the appellant in writing of his/her decision and the reasons thereof

The HOD shall request the SGB chairperson to forward to him within 14 days

  • A copy of the minutes of the meeting of the SGB at which the application was discussed and a decision taken
  • Any comments the SGB wishes to make with regard to the application and
  • Any other information relevant to the appeal