The DBE, through its Financial Planning and Provincial Budget Monitoring and Support Directorate, has realised significant achievements in terms of expanding access to free basic education in the country, reaching out to multitudes of children in remote areas. The main objective of the Directorate is to provide the PEDs with budget support and to ensure that funding norms are developed, monitored and implemented in accordance with approved regulations. The Directorate also monitors the PED’s monthly spending performance.
The South African Schools Act, section 39 and the amended National Norms and Standards for School Funding are intended to guide no-fee schools, as well as their funding. The No-fee School Policy is aimed at improving access to schools; minimising victimisation and marginalisation of poor children; reducing the burden of compulsory schooling on poor households; and improving the adequacy of funding for schools serving poor communities.
The Director for the Financial Planning and Provincial Budget Monitoring and Support Directorate, Ms Gladys Modise, stated that, “each year, the DBE publishes a determination of the percentage of learners who should be attending no-fee schools nationally. Currently, the determination specifies that all learners in Quintiles 1 to 3 (representing 60% of learners nationally) should be in no-fee schools. No-fee schools are schools identified by each Provincial MEC for Education and ranked within the quintiles determined by the DBE to accommodate schools that may not charge school fees. No-fee schools are not allowed to charge compulsory school fees, but parents may make voluntary contributions”.
The growth of no-fee schools has exceeded policy expectations. During 2016, the total number of learners accommodated in no-fee schools was 78.9%. Government allocates funds to each school annually in order to finance its recurring expenditure such as textbooks, maintenance, stationery and electricity. No-fee schools are allocated more funding compared to schools which are allowed to charge fees. A no-fee school should receive at least, the no-fee threshold amount, which is as an allocation of R1,243 per learner in 2017.
SGBs that do not wish to be classified as a no-fee school may apply to the relevant PED. These schools will be reclassified and funded as a Quintile 4 or a Quintile 5 school. If the school’s application to remain a fee charging school is approved, this must be communicated by the school to all parents and the PED should ensure that this decision is implemented.
Click on the below link for additional information:
http://www.education.gov.za/Informationfor/ParentsandGuardians/SchoolFees.aspx