The Western Cape Education Department (WCED) will investigate any report of schools withholding school reports because parents have not paid school fees.
Schools may hold parents to account, but may not prejudice learners in any way to ensure that parents pay school fees.
Schools are well aware of this policy, but we continue to hear of cases where a school allegedly requires payment of school fees before handing over reports.
We have noted a media report about an alleged incident such as this at the St James Roman Catholic Church Primary School in Kalk Bay.
We will investigate this case thoroughly with a view to charging those responsible for withholding report, if we find that the school did not follow policy on this issue.
We have also noted a media report that Mount View Secondary School in Hanover Park allegedly refused to admit a learner because the parents had not paid a R200 "registration fee".
Schools may not charge registration fees. The WCED will investigate this allegation and will also take appropriate action if we find that the school has not followed policy in this regard.
Sindi Shayi, Deputy Director-General, Institutional Development and Coordination, at the WCED, has invited parents to telephone her personally if schools withhold reports or charge "registration fees". Her cell number is 082-445-7316. She asked that she be phoned during school hours so that prompt action can be taken.
"We have reminded schools often enough that these practices are unacceptable. We will investigate every complaint such as this and will charge principals if we find that they have ignored policy," she said. Some principals have received written warnings.
The WCED expects that many fee-related issues will fall away now that 654 of Western Cape schools are no-fee schools. This represents 45% of the schools in the province.
Parents can apply for exemption or partial exemption from paying schools at the remaining schools, depending on their annual income. Principals are obliged to give this information to parents.
We remind parents that schools may take legal action to recover fees, if parents have not been granted exemption or partial exemption.
Meanwhile, South Peninsula High School accepted 10 learners excluded from the school back into the school at 11h00 yesterday (Thursday, 17 January 2008) following an intervention by Ms Shayi and district officials.
"While we respect the need to act against disruptive behaviour, the school has no right to exclude learners in this way, which amounts to a form of expulsion. Every school has to follow due process if they wish to expel learners. Only the Head of Education can make the final decision," Ms Shayi said.
"While I have empathy for principals faced with dilemmas such as that which faced Mr Brian Isaacs, and appreciate the lengths he goes to ensure excellent results, as he does every year, I also need to stress the importance of following due process."
"His brinkmanship is unwarranted and unnecessary, and is putting the name of the school and the administration of the WCED in disrepute. This was given as a warning to him."
"The role of parents is paramount in maintaining discipline," Ms Shayi said. "I accept his explanation that he was sending a wake-up call to parents who otherwise ignore his call for meetings. Parents must take heed when a meeting is requested to deal with issues of this kind."
Paddy Attwell
Director of Communication
Western Cape Education Department