Parents are accusing the Inkanini primary school in Khayelitsha of forcing them to pay a bribe of R100 to get their children registered.
“I went there because I was told they still have space,” said a parent who visited the school on Wednesday in search of a place for her daughter. She asked that we don’t use her name out of fear that her child would be excluded from the school.
“But when I got there, I was surprised when a staff member asked me for R100 for my child to be admitted,” she told Scrolla.Africa.
“I do not have money right now so I contacted a loan shark because I didn’t want my daughter to stay home the whole year. There is no space in other schools except this one.”
The parent says that while she knows this is wrong, she has no other choice. While she was complaining, other parents claimed that last year it was R150.
A community leader, Zuziwe Njamela, wants the department to intervene and stop the alleged corruption.
“The department needs to visit the school unannounced and speak to parents. And a lot is going on in that school,” she said.
Njamela says she knows parents have been paying bribes for their kids since last year.
“Those who ask for bribes know that parents will do anything for their child’s future, hence they are taking advantage and asking for money,” she said.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said the department was unaware of the allegations but the circuit manager had been notified and will follow up with the school.
“Schools may not charge fees such as a registration fee, a deposit, a re-admission fee, a pre-admission fee or any other fee at the time of application,” Hammond said.
School fees may only be charged after the learner has been informed in writing of their acceptance for admission to the school.
“They may ask for an advance on school fees if the parents have formally accepted a place for a learner at the school. However, payment of this advance may not be a condition of continued acceptance, and it would need to be a contribution towards the annual school fee.”
Pictured above: Inkanini primary school in Khayelitsha township, Cape Town, is accused of asking parents to pay bribes to get places for their kids.
Image source: Supplied
