By: Zethu Gweva
Despite National lockdown, parents are urged to continue paying their children’s school fees.
Eastern Cape Department of Education Spokesperson Loyiso Phulumani said a number of schools employ additional teachers beyond the number provided by the department.
He added that the teachers are paid by the School Governing Body (SGB) through the payment of school fees.
“Quintile four and five schools, which are fee-paying schools are empowered to utilise available debt recovery legal avenues,” said Phulumani.
Expressing their views on the school fees issue, Thandi Nquma said paying schools fees during the lockdown is unacceptable as some parents are currently at home, not making any income and cannot afford to pay school fees.
“It is a lot harder now that the children are at home. We have to buy food almost every week and we cannot afford to pay for fees while feeding children who are not attending school,” she said.
Nquma added that the government should provide social relief for people paying school fees.
“I think the government should assist people by paying the school fees for them. They can afford to give out R350 grants to the unemployed and increase social grants. Why can’t the government pay for schools fees?” she argued.
Another parent Sisipho Mehlo expressed that the teachers need the money to support their families. Parents need to bear with measures put in place.
“The government has come up with ways to educate our children. I am sure remote learning comes at a price and the teachers need to continue receiving their monthly income and they have commitments too,” said Mehlo.
According to Phulumani, all indications are that, in time, there will be a phased reopening of schools, once conditions are deemed safe enough to do so.
“Most schools are continuing to support learners through remote learning while they are at home. It means their curriculum programmes are continuing despite the lockdown,” he said.