Neelam Rahim | neelam@radioislam.co.za
3-minute read

📷 Rising school costs and heavy debt leave many South African families under severe financial strain as the school year begins.

As schools reopen across South Africa, many households are confronting intense financial pressure as education-related costs collide with already high levels of personal debt. From school fees and uniforms to transport, stationery and extra tuition, parents are being forced to make difficult trade-offs at a time when household budgets are stretched thin.

Speaking to Radio Islam International, JustMoney Head of Legal, Sunette Ansara, warned that the situation highlights the fragility of many families’ finances. “More than a third of South Africans are spending up to 40% of their income on debt,” she said, adding that this leaves families particularly vulnerable when large expenses like school costs arise at the start of the year.

Ansara emphasised that parents often underestimate the true cost of education. “School fees are not only the actual tuition fees, but everything around that school trips, transport, extra tuition, sports equipment and uniforms,” she explained. With many households already heavily indebted, education expenses are frequently not budgeted for in advance.

Survey findings by JustMoney reveal the extent of the pressure. According to Ansara, families across all income bands are struggling, with many prioritising groceries and debt repayments over education costs. She noted that despite education inflation easing slightly, the burden remains severe. “The Education Price Index increased by 4.5% and school fees by 5% last year, but families are still struggling because debt is taking such a big chunk of their income,” she said.

One of the most common mistakes parents make, Ansara noted, is focusing only on short-term affordability. “Parents need to look beyond fees and calculate the total cost of schooling over several years,” she said. A school that seems affordable now may become unsustainable after a fee increase or a change in household income, such as job loss.

She urged families to carefully consider schooling options, from fee-paying government schools to private, boarding and online alternatives. Annual costs, she explained, range from about R24,000 for primary school at non-free government schools to over R200,000 for boarding schools. “Do your homework and don’t wait for the last minute,” Ansara advised.

While paying school fees upfront can be beneficial for those who can afford it, Ansara cautioned that it is not suitable for everyone. She encouraged parents to explore payment plans, sibling discounts and support options offered by schools. For long-term planning, she highlighted savings tools such as tax-free savings accounts, unit trusts and education policies, stressing the importance of professional financial advice.

The survey also uncovered worrying trends beyond education costs, including rising gambling linked to desperation and debt stress. “Money plays a big role in our lives and how we manage it affects our wellbeing,” Ansara said, warning that financial strain is closely linked to stress, family problems and substance abuse.

As households navigate the start of the school year, the message is clear: without careful planning and long-term thinking, education costs risk pushing already strained families deeper into debt.

Listen to the full interview on Your World Today with Moulana Habib Bobat and Sunette Ansara.