Practice of withholding report cards will not be tolerated 

5 December 2016

Schools will issue report cards to learners across the province this week when the academic year ends for learners on Wednesday, 7 December 2016.

My office received a number of complaints from parents last year that schools had refused to release their childrens’ reports cards because the parents had not paid outstanding school fees.

This practice is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

However, we are aware that in some cases, schools ask parents to fetch the reports. They then use this opportunity to discuss outstanding fees. Schools deny that they are withholding report cards in these cases.

There is nothing preventing a school from requiring parents to collect the reports at school.

If the reports are then withheld for any reason, the department will investigate complaints and will take further action as required.

While I understand and sympathise with many schools that are battling to collect school fees from parents, especially when some parents can clearly afford them, discriminating against a learner for the financial decisions or position of a parent will not be tolerated.

I therefore appeal to all parents to report such a practice to their nearest district office should this be happening in their child’s school. I also urge all principals to release learners’ report cards on the date specified.

I would, however, like to appeal to parents to try and settle their outstanding fees, if they are in the position to do so.

They are reminded that schools can take legal action against parents who owe fees and who do not qualify for exemption or partial exemption. School fees remain an important source of additional funds in public schools and the SGB has every right to take legal steps to recover those fees.

Parents can, however, qualify for exemption if the school fees are more than 10% of the parents' combined annual salary.   

There are processes in place to assist parents who genuinely cannot afford their school fees. This  year, the WCED made over R47.5 million available to assist Quintile 4 and 5 schools who are struggling to collect school fees from poorer parents.  

We are also cognisant of the fact that some parents financial positions can change overnight.

Regardless of the parent’s financial position – our principals cannot discriminate against our learners.

Parents are requested to contact the District Office to lodge complaints.

DISTRICT OFFICE CONTACT DETAILS

Issued by Jessica Shelver, Spokesperson to Minister Debbie Schafer, 5 December 2016