By Everson Luhanga
- Families in Nobody village near Polokwane say Grade R parents must spend over R1,000 on stationery chosen by schools.
- High school parents must buy nine textbooks per child and pay extra cash and items like tissues to the schools.
Families in Nobody village are feeling the pressure. The village is near Ga-Mothiba outside Polokwane. Parents say they can no longer keep up with what schools are demanding from them.
A concerned resident from the area has spoken out about the growing problem. The resident says parents are being asked to pay for things they simply cannot afford. Many households are already stretched thin.
Food costs are going up. Transport is more expensive. Daily living costs keep rising. Now school expenses are adding to the burden.
Parents of Grade R learners are told to spend more than R1,000 on stationery. For families with more than one child, this amount becomes impossible to manage. The money is just not there.
The situation gets even harder for parents with children in high school. Each pupil must buy nine textbooks. On top of that, parents are expected to pay extra cash to the school. The costs keep adding up.
The resident also says parents must buy tissues that are chosen by the school. There are other items on the school list. One of them is macaroni. The school says it is needed for math activities.
For many families, money runs out long before the month ends. Parents are forced to make difficult choices. They must decide between school needs, food at home and other basic necessities.
The resident says parents feel frustrated and confused. They are not sure what schools are allowed to demand. They do not know who they can speak to for help or advice.
A WhatsApp group has been created for parents in the area. The resident says the group is meant to bring families together. But many parents still do not know where to start or how to address the rising costs.
Families are now appealing to other parents and community members. They are asking for clarity on school expenses. They need guidance on how to deal with the problem and ease the financial pressure.
Image source: Supplied
