Hillbrow pupils denied access to school due to outstanding fees
It's the second day of a new school term, but a number of children in Hillbrow in Johannesburg aren't in class.
Parents have told Jacaranda FM News that some independent institutions are not allowing children back in class until outstanding debts are settled.
Speaking on condition of anonymity, one parent says she's unable to transfer her child to a public school.
"I cannot take my child to a government school because they tell me it's full and there is never space. I can see that my child will not be able to get a proper education, because I cannot afford the fees. I am unemployed and only sell tomatoes on the street," she says.
Nkanyiso MM Combined School principal, Sthandekile Moyo says parents sign a consent form before their children are registered.
"Before we register children we issue rules and regulations with the application form. Once the parents have signed the forms they agree to the rules and regulations," she says.
Another parent whose child goes to another private school in Hillbrow says she has two children sitting at home this term because she does not know where she will get the money to pay their outstanding fees.
"I am unemployed. I do not have the money to pay the school. I want to take both my children to a public school but cannot because the school will not give me a transfer form," she says.
Principal Moyo says her school has not been able to get government funding and depends on school fees to pay rent and teachers.
Hillbrow resident, Nigel Braken who runs a learning centre in the area says it's a norm for children to be turned away from school.
"Yesterday we saw hundreds of kids being sent back home. When you speak to parents you hear that it's due to the non-payment of fees. What the schools would do is not allow the kids to write exams if fees are not paid," he says.
The Gauteng education department says it is not aware of the matter.
In a statement, it says it is incorrect for independent schools to deny pupils entry into the school due to non-payment of fees.
It says once an independent school has been registered, pupils cannot be expelled or suspended, neither can their academic records be withheld due to non-adherence to contractual obligations between the parent and school.
The department says parents should approach them with the possibility of placing them in public schools.
Edited by Faith Daniels