ActionSA exposes illegal school donation scheme in Gauteng

ActionSA has strongly condemned an illegal scheme orchestrated by School Governing Bodies (SGBs) in low-income and no-fee-paying schools.

According to the party, SGBs and school management are unlawfully enforcing mandatory 'donation' fees of R100 to R200, further burdening already struggling parents in poor communities. Parents who cannot afford to pay face dire consequences, with their children being denied access to essential schoolbooks — resources that are supposed to be provided free of charge by the provincial government.

ActionSA reported that they had to assist a learner at Nqubela Primary School in Daveyton, who was struggling to obtain schoolbooks after the school imposed a mandatory R200 donation.

“ActionSA assisted a learner’s parents at Nqubela Primary School in Daveyton with the unlawful R200 mandated donations which were enforced, resulting in learners who did not pay these donations not receiving schoolbooks.”

The party added that, after intervening by assisting the learner, they began receiving more reports from other parents, who stated that they, too, were facing similar issues. Their children were being denied books unless they paid a mandatory donation fee to the SGB fundraisers.

Speaking to The Star, one of the parents of a learner, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed frustration at Hulwazi Secondary School for the imposition of the new rule.

The parent explained that they had already paid the R300 school fees for the year 2024, but were surprised when the school requested another R300 school fees for the upcoming year 2025. As a result, the school refused to issue the child’s report at the end of the year. The parent then reluctantly paid the school fees so the child could receive the report.

The list of demands from the school didn’t stop there. The school required all learners to purchase plastic book covers for the subjects, and no other type of cover would be accepted except the school’s designated cover, which would cost parents R180.

“The school didn’t inform us that we had to buy the plastic book covers from them. We’ve already purchased book covers, but now it feels like they’re running a money-making scheme. 'Who pays R180 for book covers?'” the parent said.

The parent further added that the list of demands from the school is getting out of control, especially since it is a government school and many parents are unemployed. In previous years, the school did not require parents to buy book covers directly from them; instead, they allowed parents to purchase them from local shops.

ActionSA stated that they would compile a list of schools reported by parents and submit it to the MEC of Education’s office for urgent intervention.

“We request all parents to report schools enforcing such unlawful policies to their nearest Education Department District offices. If they do not receive adequate assistance, they should bring this matter to ActionSA. The prevalence of this scheme suggests a well-orchestrated money-making scheme by principals in cahoots with unscrupulous SGB members,” the party said.

Replying to The Star, Gauteng Department of Education spokesperson Steve Mabona stated that fundraising is solely the responsibility of the School Governing Body (SGB) at no-fee schools. One of the methods used to raise funds is through donations from parents.

“The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) can confirm that fundraising is the sole responsibility of the School Governing Body (SGB) at no-fee schools and one of the methods for raising funds is through donations from parents.

“It must be noted that during their respective Annual General Meetings (AGM), parents vote on resolutions to support the school’s initiative to augment the GDE-allocated funds through these donations. Accordingly, the said donations can be made throughout the year or as a one-time payment and parents are encouraged to make donations,” he said.

He added that no child should be denied school registration or have their results withheld because their parents cannot afford to pay a donation.

The Star contacted the principal of Nqubela Primary School, who stated that she could not comment on the matter. Two other schools did not respond to calls by the time of publishing this story.

The Star

masabata.mkwananzi@inl.co.za