Gauteng MEC criticises parents who drive luxury cars while avoiding school fees

Matome Chiloane, Gauteng Education MEC, has expressed deep concern that some parents whose children attend fee-paying schools fail to pay school fees while spending money on expensive school transportation, trips, and driving luxury vehicles.

Chiloane brought up the issue during a crucial meeting with principals and School Governing Body (SGB) members from all fee-paying schools in the province. 

The principal and SGB of each school were present to ensure broad engagement on key issues affecting fee-paying institutions.

During the meeting, Chiloane presented the Gauteng Department of Education’s financial position and provided an update on subsidies owed to schools in line with norms and standards for school funding. 

Discussions also covered the growing problem of non-payment of school fees and other pending matters that affect schools’ effective functioning.

“Well, as fee-paying schools, this is the reason why I call this lecture. We need to be frank with you, so that as you move and engage with your SMTs and SGBs, you are able to communicate that the MEC said there is no knight in shining armour with a bag of gold coming. Not in the next two to three years,” he said.

Chiloane urged principals to be innovative in sustaining their schools.

“I’m happy that those that are able to collect fees, do. Those that are not able to collect fees must really come up with ideas. And I don’t believe that parents can’t afford it. I must be honest with you. I don’t agree with that.

“If a parent can pay R2,000 every month for a child’s taxi or transport, you can’t tell me that parent can’t pay R900 in school fees. It’s not true.”

He added that schools must be firmer with parents.

“If you are paying R2,000 and the child is always at school with money, with the latest gadgets… In fact, one parent called me. There was a school trip, and I know this fellow. He’s one of those flashy, extravagant fellows with nice cars - he was driving a Porsche. The child was going on a school trip, and he had not paid fees. He paid for the trip, and the school used that money to pay the fees. I applaud that school,” he said.

“He then called me and said what the school did was wrong. I asked him why. He said, ‘because it’s a government school.’ That shows you the mindset - parents can afford (it).”

Chiloane stated that if schools organised an overseas trip for students who owed fees, parents would find the money.

He added that next year’s admissions system upgrade for Grade 1 and Grade 8 would include each school’s fee structure.

“When parents apply, I don’t want them to come back and say, ‘You placed my child in this school.’ A parent applied for a primary school in this area, and when she had to pay the R14,000 registration fee, she called me and said, ‘They want money from me.’ I asked her, ‘Is this not the school you chose? Now you’re telling me about fees.’”

He said including fee information would ensure parents are aware of financial obligations before choosing a school.

“We will be working with you along this journey. I’m not saying that after this meeting we abandon you. We will work with you to get to the point where your finances stabilise properly.”

But he emphasised that principals must be firm.

“We have to. Because if we don’t, our schools are collapsing - in their numbers, and quickly. It’s a sad situation.”

He added that governance issues also require attention.

“Some of our SGBs are problematic. They tend not to assist schools. So we have to look at them. There must be efficiency across the system.”

Chiloane said financial prudence would be critical in the coming years.

“One rand must be a dollar - your rand must produce R18 in value for the next two to three years. We do anticipate growth in the provincial economy, and we have revenue enhancement strategies in place. But they will only become effective in two to three years.”

Social media erupted in heated debate following Chiolane’s remarks, with many users accusing the government of shifting blame onto parents instead of fixing long-standing failures within the education system.

Critics argued that the real crisis lies in poor governance, not affordability.

“Education is free in South Africa,” wrote Andile Fundama. “He’s talking about his friends… schools that charge fees have clear reasons, and you can see they’re properly managed.”

Others pointed to the country’s dire unemployment crisis, saying government leaders are out of touch with the realities faced by ordinary families.

“How do you expect parents to pay school fees when your government can’t even give them jobs?” asked Ps Malefane.

Some users raised concerns about inconsistent policies and unfair treatment.

“Foreigners take their kids to Model C schools and later apply for fee exemptions because they’re not working,” said Busi Xaba. “But taxpayers are still expected to pay. It’s not fair.”

Another user, Khustalicious Thaphuko, said the department’s claims of limited funds were simply unacceptable.

“There is no such thing. The government has money; proper allocation and accountability are missing. This ‘we don’t have money’ excuse doesn’t work, MEC.”

A powerful message came from Andrew Mosebo, who urged the department to focus on the real barriers learners face.

“The majority of parents cannot afford school fees. Why don’t you fix the issues that actually affect teaching and learning? Our kids come from broken homes, child-headed households, abuse, poverty, yet your system expects them to perform without proper emotional support. We need full-time counsellors in schools, not lectures from people who don’t understand our children’s struggles.”

Meanwhile, Chiloane will on Thursday, December 4, 2025, brief the public on the latest progress regarding Grade 1 and Grade 8 placements for the 2026 academic year through the Gauteng Online Admissions system. 

He will also provide an update on the conduct of the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations across the province.

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