The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Democratic Alliance (DA) is astounded that, according to a reply to a question in the Western Cape legislature today (included below), only 62% of parents of children attending Acacia Park Primary School are paying their fees. This school is attended primarily by the children of members of parliament and of various categories of public official. These individuals are well paid from the public purse and the relatively trivial monthly school fee of R350 will be a tiny fraction of their salaries. The DA will be writing to the Minister of Public Works, who is ultimately responsible for the Acacia Park complex, including the school, to name and shame the MPs and officials who are not paying. The South African education system is under enormous strain from parents who can pay fees, but don't. Many schools spend thousands of rands on pursuing parents who drive expensive cars but won't pay for their children's education. At the same time, many parents skimp and do without in order to be able to pay fees. MPs and officials should be setting a good example of accountability and responsibility. They should be showing that they are working for a better country, not a more selfish and arrogant one. It is shameful that so many are not. The reply indicates that most of those who are not complying are state officials working for the police, correctional services and the navy. Only a few children come from a nearby informal settlement, and they have applied for fee exemptions. Some of those who are not paying have not paid a cent since the beginning of the year. MEDIA ENQUIRIES: Junita Kloppers-Lourens MP - 083 268 9408 Ross van der Linde - 076 543 7254
PARLIAMENTARY REPLY
WESTERN CAPE PROVINCIAL LEGISLATURE
TUESDAY, 20 October 2009 QUESTION FOR ORAL REPLY *15. Mr H P Geyer to ask Mr D A C Grant, Minister of Education: Whether all the school fees payable by the parents of learners at the Akasia Park Primary School had been paid as at the latest specified date for which information is available; if not, what is the situation in this regard? Answer: THE MINISTER OF EDUCATION *15. Information supplied by the school's Principal, Ms E. Jansen, is that by 16/10/2009 only 62% of parents paid school fees of R350 per month. There are some parents from Acasia Park who have not paid since the beginning of the year. Most of the parents that are not complying work for the different Provincial Departments, viz. SAPS, Correctional Services and the Navy. Very few learners that are in the school are from outside the area. These are children of poor parents from the Maitland Graveyard Cemetery in Kensington. They applied for exemption as they are Social Grant cases. MEC FOR EDUCATION DATE: 20 October 2009