Parliament has expressed serious concern following reports that some schools and School Governing Bodies are unlawfully withholding learners’ academic report cards and placing financial pressure on parents at no fee schools.
The Chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Basic Education, Ms Joy Maimela, said on Friday that the committee had received complaints indicating that report cards were being withheld because parents were unable to take part in fundraising activities due to financial difficulties.
“A learner’s academic progress and access to report cards can and must never be used as leverage to compel parents to contribute financially or participate in fundraising activities,” Maimela said.
She further raised concern about an increase in complaints and social media reports suggesting that parents at no fee schools are being forced to buy stationery. She described this practice as unlawful and a clear violation of learners’ constitutional right to basic education.
“Government makes provision for learner teacher support material (LTSM), including stationery, at no-fee paying schools. SGBs or school managements can therefore not implement new measures that are in conflict with legislation, regulations and policies,” she said.
Maimela emphasised that fundraising participation at schools is voluntary and that learners must not face punishment or discrimination because of their parents’ socio economic circumstances.
“Penalising learners for the socio-economic circumstances of their parents is unjust, unethical and contrary to the aim and principles of equity and inclusivity that underpin South Africa’s education system,” she said.
She warned that placing financial pressure on parents at no fee schools undermines the purpose of the policy.
“Parents who have enrolled their children in no-fee schools should not be pressured, directly or indirectly, to incur costs that the law explicitly seeks to prevent. Such actions defeat the very purpose of the no-fee school policy,” Maimela added.
The committee has urged provincial education departments to intervene urgently where such practices are reported and to ensure that school management teams and School Governing Bodies fully understand their legal responsibilities.
It added that it would continue to conduct oversight to ensure compliance with the South African Schools Act, the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act and relevant departmental policies.
Parents and guardians who experience these challenges have been encouraged to report them to their provincial education departments and to escalate the matter where necessary.
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