Minister has no powers on private school fees
Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga has told parliamentarians there is nothing she can do about the high fees that are a barrier to some pupils gaining access to private schools, according to a Weekend Argus report. ‘We do not regulate fees of private education institutions.
As Minister, I do not have the power via either the Schools Act or national education policy to regulate fees of independent schools.
It is only in schools that are identified as qualifying for a subsidy that the department assists. With private schools the state cannot. Generally, we do not get closer to private schools because we have no powers in law.’ Motshekga was responding to ANC MP Landulile Dlamini, who claimed higher fees could be a barrier to access private schools.
‘We know most parents who send kids to these schools are those who can afford to, but you also have a situation where private schools are mushrooming because they are not regulated. They make lots of money. It would help if they were regulated,’ Dlamini said.
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