As Finance Minister Trevor Manuel reminded the nation earlier this month, education spending continues to be government's number one investment. R12 billion has been set aside to transform 60 per cent of schools to no-fee schools.
Although the strategy aims to increase accessibility to education, a report by the Alliance for Children's Entitlement to Social Security (Acess), warns that the policy has unintended consequences.
The Acess report explains that some parents view no-fee schools as offering lesser education and are removing learners from the schools. Paul Colditz, of the Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools, told the Sunday Times: People are voting with their feet and causing overcrowding in successful schools not just former model C schools, but all good public schools.
In addition to overcrowding, suburban schools are racking up debt as they stretch to accommodate more no-fee learners. Schools are cutting back on teachers, maintenance workers and extramural activities.
On the other end, there are wasted resources at some no-fee schools. According to the department of education, in some cases schools meant to cater for 800 pupils only have 200 registered. In extreme cases schools have been forced to shut down.
Free Market Foundation enquiries also revealed that some no-fee schools are experiencing an influx of students, such as Minerva Secondary School in Alexandra. Principal Mabungu explained that she is seeing many late registrations. Parents of learners in former model C schools cannot pay the fees and are sending their kids here. Some parents have lost their jobs recently.
Source: Schools in suburbs swamped, Sunday Times, February 22, 2009.
For text:
http://www.thetimes.co.za/PrintEdition/News/Article.aspx?id=944416
For more on education:
http://www.freemarketfoundation.com/issues.asp?id=19
FMF Policy Bulletin/ 10 March 2009