Schools are divided up into 5 categories or quintiles, with the poorest schools being in quintile 1, and the least poor being in quintile 5.

The amount contributed by the state in a quintile 1 school (the poorest school according the quintile status) will be higher than the amount contributed in a quintile 4 or a quintile 5 school (least poor). In other words all these schools receive subsidies but the amount varies depending on which quintile the school is determined to be. The amount that the state contributes per learner decreases as you move up the quintiles.

Theoretically, schools falling into quintiles 1 and 2 ought to be no-fee schools, and some schools falling into quintile 3 may be no-fee schools too, although this is voluntary in each province. Parents sending their children to these schools should not have to pay any fees, including registration or activity fees.

In some instances, the MEC for Education may stipulate that a school will be a no-fee school for learners in Grade R to Grade 9, but will charge fees after this.