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No school fees for poorer kids

Tebogo Monama

Tebogo Monama

Wits University's Centre for Applied Legal Studies has welcomed the Gauteng education department's decision to make quintile 3 schools free.

Quintal is a system whereby schools are classified according to the poverty levels in the areas in which they are situated

Schools in quintile 1 are in the poorest communities and those in affluent communities are classified quintile 4 and 5.

Poor communities need not pay fees but schools must inform parents and make submissions.

But Phillipa Tucker of the centre says her organisation is worried that parents might not be aware of the latest developments.

"The department has not given parents the tools to get involved in the issue," Tucker says. "Some principals and governing bodies can be tyrannical in running schools."

The deadline for submissions for quintile 3 schools to be declared no-fee schools is May 23.

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