No-Fee Schools’ Hidden Squeeze on Parents
South Africa’s no-fee schools promise free education, but many demand “voluntary” donations for stationery and uniforms—leaving low-income parents trapped in debt and children unable to learn.
In South Africa’s townships and rural heartlands, free education is a constitutional promise for every child. No-fee schools aim to deliver quality learning without tuition burdens for low-income families.
these institutions often demand “voluntary” donations that feel mandatory, for essentials like stationery and uniforms.
This undercover economy traps vulnerable households in a relentless financial grip. This investigation reveals a widespread crisis across provinces like Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.
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- Official data
Public schools are ranked by community poverty into quintiles.
Author's summary: No-fee schools in South Africa demand donations.