No-Fee Schools’ Hidden Squeeze on Parents
South Africa’s no-fee schools promise free education, but many demand “voluntary” donations for stationery and uniforms—leaving low-income parents trapped in debt and children unable to learn.
In South Africa’s townships and rural heartlands, free education is a constitutional promise for every child. No-fee schools aim to deliver quality learning without tuition burdens for low-income families.
These institutions often demand “voluntary” donations that feel mandatory, for essentials like stationery and uniforms.
This undercover economy traps vulnerable households in a relentless financial grip. An investigation reveals a widespread crisis across provinces like Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo.
- Through parent stories
- legal insights
- and official data
We expose the human toll and urgent need for systemic change. Public schools are ranked by community poverty into quintiles.
Author summary: No-fee schools in South Africa demand donations.