Bill provides for free schools
2005-05-20 08:10
Cape Town - Starting next year, schools serving the poorest section of the population will no longer be able to levy school fees at all.
The Education Acts Amendment Bill, which will soon be before the parliamentary portfolio committee on education, determines that, from next year, the education minister will identify schools that may not charge school fees.
It is expected that these schools will include at least the poorest 20% - receiving seven times more funds at present from the government than the most affluent 20%.
Each province's MEC for education must publish a list of these schools in the Provincial Gazette annually.
It will, in future, be compulsory for schools that levy school fees to indicate the number of parents who, in terms of legislation, are exempt from school fees and the figure in their budgets.
Difficult to attach property
At present, schools can get school fees from parents by way of legal action, including the disposal of assets.
But, in accordance with the new legislation, parents will be better protected against attachment of their property if they can't keep up with paying school fees.
The new legislation makes it more difficult to attach parents' assets by prescribing a cumbersome process and backdating exemption to the beginning of any given year.
In future, a parent's home may not be attached under any circumstances.
The ban on discrimination against pupils whose parents can't meet school fee payments has been extended specifically to include suspension from classes, "verbal and non-verbal abuse", suspension of participation in sports and culture or the school feeding programme, or the retention of reports and performance certificates.
Disciplinary steps spelt out
In accordance with the new law, schools will not be allowed to attach valuable property without the consent of the MEC for education. The amount will be published in the Provincial Gazette.
The act also provides greater clarity on disciplinary steps, such as procedures to suspend a scholar, by setting them out in greater detail.
It is expected the portfolio committee will discuss the draft bill in the near future.
It can be amended and will come into effect once it has been passed by parliament and signed by President Thabo Mbeki.
This is likely to happen before the end of this year.