“Considering the ongoing Covid-19 situation and its effect on the economy and the livelihoods of many South Africans, schools should be careful not to appear draconian in the enforcement of their contractual rights.'
Grade 7 and grade 12 learners are bracing themselves for a return to school next week. However, two months into the national Covid-19 lockdown, many parents are floundering when it comes to keeping up with school fees. And while government and some private schools have offered contingency plans, other private schools have not.
Adams has two daughters at former Model C schools in Cape Town’s southern suburbs, one in grade 7 and one in grade 11. Monthly fees are R2,250 at the primary school and R1,930 at the high school. Thomas Karberg, candidate attorney at Werksmans Attorneys, says at government schools the Schools Act prohibits the refusal of admission, suspension or expulsion of a learner due to non-payment of school fees.
Kimeshree Pillay of Bentley Attorneys says that while the Schools Act does not prohibit independent schools from suspending or expelling learners whose parents have failed to pay school fees, schools must still follow fair procedure, including adequate warning prior to suspension or exclusion and arrangements to settle fees.
Curro’s biggest competitor, Advtech, which owns Abbotts College, Varsity College, Rosebank College, Trinity House and Crawford schools, is also providing some financial relief. Nwabisa Piki, head of investor relations and company secretary at Advtech, says the company has supported over 5,300 families with assistance worth R24m.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Eastern Cape scrambles to deliver PPEs as two schools say they won't open on MondayTwo schools in the Eastern Cape have issued letters to parents advising them not to send their children to classes because the schools have not received personal protective equipment (PPE).
Read more »
Workers with noncompliant bosses can now access Covid-19 relief scheme - The Mail & GuardianLast week the department of labour announced that more than R14-billion had been paid to workers, but some are still struggling to access the fund
Read more »
South Korea quickly limits school children as coronavirus spikesOnly one in three pupils at certain schools in the Seoul metropolitan area will be allowed to physically attend school each day
Read more »
Some Gauteng schools to open later than June 1 after pupil tests positive for Covid-19Just as some parents are getting their children ready for school on Monday after a two-month lockdown, a Gauteng pupil has tested positive for Covid-19. TheStar_news schoolsreopening
Read more »
Five categories of people who may want to sit out school reopeningWith grade 7 and 12 pupils preparing to return to school on June 1, an expert says children have a far lower risk of contracting moderate or severe cases of Covid-19.
Read more »
Rethink decision to open schools on Monday, SAHRC urges departmentThe commission says it has done independent monitoring of schools for readiness in all nine provinces and consulted with various stakeholders, including teachers’ unions and school governing bodies.
Read more »