Mel Naidoo writes:
On the issue of education and its exorbitant costs in South Africa, it is perhaps the best time to bring to the attention of the Department of Education that while the cost of Higher Education is in contention, focus should also be placed on the cost of education at primary and secondary levels.
It is our understanding that education is a basic right, yet it is a right that is being exploited by the so-called ex-Model C schools and those that deem education as a commercial commodity.
Residents in the suburb of Randburg for example, fork out fees for high school that vary between R29 600 to R33 600 (costs derived via schools’ websites). It should also be mentioned that these were fees stipulated for 2015 and that they exclude textbooks, stationery, extra course fees or any other expenses that could be incurred during the year.
According to our Minister of Education, Angie Motshekga, she was ‘shocked’ and ‘angry’ at how the cost of a basic right has become unaffordable. And there is nothing she can do about this at this stage, as it is the priority of the governing body to decide the fees. Why is the Department of Education not stepping in here? What is their role in the delivery of education to its citizens? Fee-paying schools are still under their jurisdiction. The costs to run a school – costs like electricity, water and maintenance – should be subsidised in full by the government. Teachers should be paid for by the government. Textbooks and all the tools required to enhance learning should be provided by the government. Compensation from parents should pay for extras like tours, co-curricular activities and sports facilities.
As a result of government just standing back and saying there is nothing they can do about it, some schools are using the opportunity to hike fees, enforce fee collections and basically hold parents to ransom – all in the name of providing an education.
Why are we, as parents not questioning this? When are we going to say enough is enough? Our children have a right to quality education. We want our children to lead productive lives and contribute to the economy one day, so why has education become an almost unaffordable privilege?
These fees are set without looking at the affordability to those barely making ends meet. As parents now face a bleak beginning to 2016, with the cost of living at an all-time high and unemployment reaching one of its highest rates, it is deeply concerning that we have to look at rising costs in just educating our future leaders. A parent with three children at a school would need to pay around R100 000 per year – a sum that I am sure the average Joe would not be able to afford. Yes, there is an option for parents to apply for exemption. But only those who are earning below a benchmark can apply for this. What about those who are earning just above the stipulated benchmark: people employed in the nursing, police and teaching sectors? How do they afford to educate their children?
Government is presently looking at ‘ways’ to address the plight of university students, which is a step in the right direction. However, it is time to look at the entire education system.
