e-Learning allegedly comes at a cost

Allen Glen High School has been accused by a parent of allegedly charging an e-book payment of R1 300 over and above their annual school fee.

The school, which adheres to the Gauteng Department of Education’s goal of transforming public classrooms into paperless learning environments, expects parents to pay this fee early so that the children can gain access to prescribed online books.

According to the Schools Act 39, Subsection 5, public schools may not charge any registration, administration or other fees, except for the standard school fees.

A parent, who was concerned about the ‘additional fees’, contacted the Roodepoort Northsider to raise concerns about the issue. The person, who does not want to be named for fear of retribution, alleged that even in a case where exemption of school fees was granted, the e-book payment was still expected.

When contacted, the School Governing Body chairperson, Warren MacKrill, however, explained that although the e-book fee is payable at the beginning of the year, it is actually included in the annual school fee and forms part of the school fee. “We requested [that it] is paid prior to the commencement of the new school year in order to facilitate payment to suppliers. Should a parent receive a full or partial exemption from school fees, the exemption is extended to the purchase of e-books. We do, however, strongly request that parents assist the school by attempting to pay something towards their children’s e-books,” MacKrill said, neither denying or confirming the allegation.

He emphasised that the school fee was approved by the parents on 26 October last year during the school’s Annual General Meeting. He added that if a parent applied for exemption, this is extended to the e-book payment.

The department’s technology-enabled teaching and learning programme, the paperless classroom, includes the use of interactive boards, and mobile devices like tablets and laptops with complete internet connectivity.

Gauteng MEC for Education, Panyaza Lesufi, said the overall purpose of the e-Learning project is to ensure maximum improvement in performance.

The Democratic Alliance’s Shadow MEC for Education in Gauteng, Khume Ramulifho, said if a parent receives a full exemption, it should include all payments and if they are unable to make certain payments, no learning materials should be withheld.

If you have been asked to pay additional fees above your school fees at a public school, share your story by contacting the Roodepoort Northsider at northside@caxton.co.za.