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Related Sections
1
INTRODUCTION
2
TYPES OF SCHOOLS
3
SCHOOL GOVERNING BODIES (SGBs)
4
Functions of SGBs
5
Who sits on a SGB?
6
Rules guiding SGBs
7
Responsibilities of SGBs
8
The Basic Education Laws Amendment Act (BELA) – Impact on SGBs
9
Building capacity for SGB members
10
Additional powers that can be given to SGBs
11
Disclosures of members of SGBs
12
Prefects and Representative Councils of Learners (RCLS)
13
ADMISSION OF LEARNERS TO SCHOOLS
14
Government policy on admissions
15
Documents that learners should produce to be admitted to a public school
16
Process for admission to a public school
17
Refusing to admit a learner to a school
18
Appeal against a refusal to admit a learner to a school
19
SCHOOL FEES
20
Exemptions from school fees
21
EDUCATORS AND DOING BUSINESS WITH THE STATE
22
DISCIPLINE IN SCHOOLS
23
Kinds of punishment
24
Taking disciplinary action against a learner
25
Taking disciplinary action against an educator for misusing disciplinary measures
26
SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND ABUSE IN SCHOOLS
27
Reporting sexual harassment if a victim is a learner
28
Reporting sexual harassment if a victim is a staff member
29
Child Protection Register and Sexual Offenders Register
30
LANGUAGE IN SCHOOLS
31
Draft policy on the introduction of African languages in schools
32
TRANSPORT IN SCHOOLS
33
UNIVERSITIES AND TVET COLLEGES
34
Applying to go to a University or TVET college
35
NSFAS Bursary
36
PROBLEMS
37
Problem 1: Parents cannot afford to pay school fees
38
Problem 2: Learners are refused admission to a school because of unpaid school fees
39
CHECKLIST: Regulations for the exemption of parents from payment of school fees

Problem 2: Learners are refused admission to a school because of unpaid school fees

A number of learners have been refused admission to a school because they are told they have not paid their outstanding fees. The parents are unable to afford the outstanding fees and want to take action against the school to force them to take their children.

WHAT DOES THE LAW SAY?

The law states that a school cannot refuse to re-admit a learner to school on grounds that they have outstanding school fees.

WHAT CAN THEY DO?

  1. The learner’s parents should write a letter to the school principal pointing out which part of the law they are breaking and formally appeal to the SGB against the decision. Send a copy of this letter to the Head of the Department in the province and /or the Provincial MEC (Member of the Executive Council) for Education.
  2. If the school still refuses to admit the learner, or if they don’t reply to the letter, the learner should write to the HOD in the province and/or MEC for Education and advise them that the school continues to refuse to admit the learner.
  3. If the HOD or MEC does not respond contact a public interest law organisation or a lawyer for support.