It is the beginning of a new year and back to school is on everyone's mind, including finances and budget.

Most of the public schools in South Africa mainly generate their income from one source, which is (arguably) school fees. However, principals claim that the successful collection of this money has been, and still proves to be, a daunting and fruitless task, which ultimately impacts adversely on the overall performance of their schools

We know that a lot of people struggle to pay school fees but still put great effort into paying, which we commend you for.  On the other hand some just refuse to pay even if they can afford it.  We all want and strive towards the best education for our children and therefor we all need to work together to afford the schools, our children attend to provide us with the best regarding teachers, teaching material, buildings, security and higiene.

There are unfortunately always some instances where people just cannot afford to pay the full amount owing for school fees or the whole amount for that matter.

To make provision for such circumstances, which is most fortunate, certain specifications are in place to evaluate the situation and for the school to assist with exemption of school fees partly or in whole. These specifications have been adjusted over the years due to some parents or guardians of children, seeing this as an “opportunity” to avoid paying school fees. 

We provide you with the specifications regarding circumstances in which parents are exempted from paying school fees to provide the correct information and to enable parents that really need assistance regarding exemption of payment of school fees. 

In terms of the South African Schools Act various persons are liable for the payment of school fees: the parents or guardian, or legal custodian, or the person who undertakes to fulfill the obligation towards the school.  Even an unmarried father that does not qualify for parental responsibilities and rights can be held responsible by the school to pay.  There is a duty on both parents to maintain their children and this duty specifically includes providing children with suitable education.

The school should provide information in writing regarding exemption, a form to apply and the information required by the school.  The most important information required and to take note of is Personal information of BOTH parents including address, contact details, employer details and the proof of the gross income of BOTH parents.

Due to the fact that personal circumstances can change at any time period the applications cannot be limited to the beginning of the school year, just the same as when the financial situation of a parent improves during the school year they received exemption, they have a duty to inform the school accordingly.

Formula applied to school fees exemption:

                          F + A              E = School fees compared to the parents’ income

E = 100     ______________              F = Annual school fees for one child

                     C                   A = Annual contribution by parents for educational purposes for child

                                          C=  Combined gross income of parents

According to the South African School Act of 1996, if annual school fees are determined in terms of section 39 of the Act, the following categories will be applicable for purposes of exemption of a parent from payment of such school fees–  

• if the combined annual gross income of the parents is less than ten times the annual school fees per learner, the parent qualifies for full exemption.
• if the combined annual gross income of the parents is more than thirty times the annual school fees per learner, the parent does not qualify for exemption.
• if the combined annual gross income of the parents is less than thirty times but more than ten times the annual school fees per learner, the parent qualifies for partial exemption

Example 1: A has 1 child in one school. This learner's annual school fees are R2 500 and the additional school expenses over the year come to R20. The parent's gross income for that year is R25 200. In this example the parents qualify for exemption due to the fact that the gross income is exactly 10 times the annual scool fees.  

Example 2:  If parent A earned a gross income om R76 000.00 no exemption will be granted.  

Example 3 : If parent A earned R50 000.00 a partial exemption will be granted, to be calculated according to a formula  a sliding scale regulated by the South African schools act.

Reference List:  Fish Hoek Primary School v GW 2009

South African Schools Act 84 of 1996 as amended

Maintenance Act 99 of 1998