Cape Town - Parents have accused a Delft primary school of breaking the law by charging parents a registration fee for their children and denying access to those who are unable to pay.
One parent, who didn’t want to be named, told the Cape Argus that while Hindle Road West Primary is a no-fee school, he had been charged a R150 registration fee for his child.
He said he had paid the money and his child was enrolled, but other parents, who were unable to pay the fee, were turned away.
He said some of these parents relied on social grants.
The father said he had not received a receipt of proof of payment - his payment was noted in a book.
One Blikkiesdorp mother, who wanted to enrol three of her children - aged 7, 10 and 11 - at the school, said she had been asked to pay a R150 registration fee for the youngest child and R50 each for the two older children.
She was unable to do so and her children were not admitted.
In terms of the SA Schools Act, schools may not charge parents registration fees.
Western Cape Education Department spokesman Paddy Attwell said the principal had denied the allegation that the school was charging registration fees.
“We view the allegations very seriously and, if parents can provide evidence of the school charging registration fees, we invite them to come forward.”
He said the school had sought to help the parents of 80 pupils who gathered to enrol their children at the school on Tuesday morning, adding that their applications were late.
“The school accommodated 65 of the learners.
“Our district office will work with schools and the parents to place the remaining 15 learners.”
Cape Argus