By Charmaine Ndlela
Education authorities and opposition politicians have urged public schools not to withhold report cards over unpaid school fees, after complaints that some pupils ended the 2025 academic year without knowing whether they had progressed to the next grade.
Section 25(12) of the National Protocol on Assessment (NPA) for Grades R–12 states: “A learner’s progress report or school report must not be withheld for any reason, including non-payment of fees.”
The Department of Basic Education says school fees are an agreed amount paid by parents to improve the quality of education, and may not include registration, administration, or additional subject fees.
The department said fee-paying public schools may take legal action against parents who fail to pay, but only after exemption criteria have been applied and parents are found liable.
It said learners must remain in school during the process and cannot be excluded from official school programmes
You’ve reached your free article limit
Subscribe to enjoy unlimited access to trusted journalism. Cancel anytime.
Subscribe nowNeed help? molokom@insidepolitic.co.za
