{"id":74522,"date":"2022-12-18T15:54:47","date_gmt":"2022-12-18T13:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/?p=74522"},"modified":"2022-12-18T15:54:47","modified_gmt":"2022-12-18T13:54:47","slug":"pupils-prevented-from-getting-end-of-year-reports-because-of-outstanding-fees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/radioislam.org.za\/a\/pupils-prevented-from-getting-end-of-year-reports-because-of-outstanding-fees\/","title":{"rendered":"Pupils prevented from getting end-of-year reports because of outstanding fees"},"content":{"rendered":"

Neelam Rahim<\/em> |\u00a0neelam@radioislam.co.za<\/a><\/p>\n

4 min read
\n18 December 2022 | 3:52 pm CAT<\/p>\n

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Parents from schools across the country have alerted education authorities that they are being prevented from picking up their children\u2019s end-of-year reports because they still owe school fees. At the same time, it is argued by many that schools are not allowed to withhold a report if a parent or caregiver still owes the school some money.<\/p>\n

Discussing the challenge with Radio Islam International, the Department of Basic Education\u2019s Elijah Mahlanga said according to the law, both no-fee and normal fee-paying schools cannot deny parents and students the right to receive the end-of-year report.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe school act, which is more than 25 years old has not changed,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

According to Mhlanga, it is found that schools want communication from parents. There is also an indication that parents need to play an active role in their children\u2019s schooling as meetings are held at schools in which the concerns of parents are raised.<\/p>\n

Meanwhile, it is exposed that some teachers have no respect for learners due to the humiliation they inflict on fee-owing children.<\/p>\n

Mahlanga said many teachers who act this way must be reminded of their responsibilities and the code of professional ethics they have signed up for.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe responsibilities of a teacher is to instill confidence in a child, encourage them to grow and ensure they understand their role in society,\u201d he added.
\nMahlanga further advises parents whose children\u2019s reports have been withheld from attending the school and requests written reasons. This provides commitment in writing from the school regarding the action taken against parents.<\/p>\n

Listen below to the interview on Radio Islam’s<\/em> podcast.<\/p>\n