School fees: All you need to about exemption and debt collection

Here’s all you need to know and how to get help if you’re a parent or caregiver struggling to pay your child’s school fees or are owing.

The Department of Basic Education has confirmed the term dates for schools around the country in 2025. Diarise them now ... Image: Pexels

There are different avenues available for those who are not able to pay their children’s school fees or are in debt. The Citizen reported on 4 December 2024 on how people can get help and what happens if they are already owing.

The wish of every parent is to send their child to get the best education, however, this comes at a high cost. Find out ways to get school fees exemption for your child and avoid getting blacklisted if in debt.

PRIVATE VS PUBLIC SCHOOLS

The Citizen spoke to an expert about school fees exemption and debt collection. Ashleigh Laurent, the legal counsel at TPN Credit Bureau gave a detailed explanation. “Private school parents who are in default, are sent a letter of demand and then given 20 business days to settle the outstanding balance.

“Government schools can only take action against non-paying parents once they have determined if the parents qualify for a full exemption, partial or conditional exemption from payment and are required to notify parents in writing if they have not applied for an exemption.”

WHO QUALIFIES FOR EXEMPTION?

At public schools, all parents have a right to apply for exemption for their children, however, most schools never inform them. According to government regulations parents qualify for one exemption. The three exemptions are total, partial or conditional. Learners who fall in this category qualify:

Children whose parents receive child support grant
Children in foster care
Children raised by family members (caregivers)
Children who head a household or are part of a child-headed home
Children who are orphans in an orphanage

Parents in debt or need a school fees exemption have the right to apply for assistance. Image: Pexels

HOW IS EXEMPTION DETERMINED?

Non-profit legal support company Legal Fundi provided the formula used to determine if a parent qualifies for full or partial exemption. According to their website the formula works out the percentage a family can spend on school fees according to their income.

A full exemption is when the school fees are 10% of the parent’s income. Fees that are from 3.5% and 10% of the income will result in partial exemption. Check out Legal Fundi’s Table for Calculating Exemptions to calculate your own and find out which exemption you qualify for.

HOW TO APPLY FOR EXEMPTION?

Parents can apply for exemption by approaching the School Governing BODY (SGB). The SGB then takes 30 days to consider the application in line with the regulations. Parents are informed of the outcome within seven days after the decision is made.

A decision can be appealed by parents with the help of the school. This is done by writing to the head of the Department of Basic Education in that province.

SCHOOL FEES DEBT AND BLACKLISTING

Parents with outstanding school fees and didn’t apply for exemption can be blacklisted with a credit bureau. However, children are still lawfully allowed to continue going to school. They can also get their report cards or transfer cards, according to the Legal Resources Council (LRC).