My son finished matric last year and was confused about what to do at tertiary level. He just knew he wanted to design. We found out and design did not come on its own. He got a place to do electronic engineering. He did not fair well in the 1st half of year. He dropped out. he pattern of studying shocked his system. He is at home now, applied for Architecture. Worried next year he is not a child to really study. Already wasted R11000 last year. Dont have money to waste next year . Please help.

if homeschooling is legal in sa then why do we need organisations like the pestalozzi legal defence group when we want to homeschool our children? surely as parents we should have the right to school our children as we see fit. especially with all the violence in our schools today?

If an independent school is not registered and the parents know about it but continue to send their children there, are they breaking any law? Children have a constitutional right to an education at a REGISTERED school. What if parents over-ride that right and decide to send their children to an UNREGISTERED school? I'm very sure the parents know the school is NOT registered.

im a 17 year old girl completed my martric last year i have a friend who left school while she was doing grade 8 but now she want to go to the university and study bcom accounting because she still believe that she was good with accounting at school so is it posible for her to go to the university with the grade 8 that she have ? will they accept her?

Please help. What is my right as a father (parent) and that of my child if my child is ordered to a disciplinary hearing (misconduct).

If a High Court order makes one divorced parent solely responsible for all school related costs can a school governing body refuse to accept an application for school fee exemption based on the income of that parent only? The SGB requires details of the income of both parents but my ex-wife refuses to provide this info because the court order makes me responsible. It would seem that in the major Provinces applications under similar circumstances are accepted based on the income of one parent.

Want to know if my son in Gr 11 that has a major problem with his English teacher can demand a new teacher. This hate relationship between the two has caused him to fail English from the beginning of the year of which he has never failed before. This automatically means he fails his standard so far.

Hi, what details are required on an exemption form? I receive mainenance, but the school gave me a form requesting my ex's financials. I know I won't get the info, at least not this year! Can the school (public) ask for personal details like bank details and outstanding morgage? Please help. It feels like the school made the forms 12 pages long with certian details to discourage parents from asking for help.

Hi i am not a parent rather a concerned friend. One of my friends parents split up. He is now living with his mother who is an estate agent. being a middle child he doesn't seem to enjoy much favour in the house. His main problem is that he use to do home schooling, but ever since his parents split up they refuse to pay for his course fees. What can be done about this.

Hi Phillipa. PLease could you assist me. I have a son in matric. He has been a border at the school since grade 8. I am divirced and recieve R1700/month for 3 children. I have paid to date R190 000 school and hostel fees on my own. I am now indebt rehab. The school is wanting R17000 for this years outstanding hostel fees or my son cant reurn. I have approached the father, who has assets like horses, but he claims not abl to help. How can I insist he pay this money.Pam

My daughter is in a dual medium Government High School, formerly only for white afrikaans children. The english pupils always seem to get the "short end of the stick (discipline, classrooms with no lights, teachers that are not capable of speaking proper english etc). Despite several personal meetings with educators and even the principal, there is no improvement and no feedback from the school. Its as if they're trying to get rid of the english kids without playing the "racist" card. Pse help.

My daughers school have a fund-raiser in the form of a father-daughter camp. One night sleepover in tents, caravans on school field. dads take alcohol of any form and unlimited quantities. Watch rugby in hall and kids run wild. Few organized activities they do together. School request fathers to sign indemnity re safety of daughter. "...take full responsibility of my daughters safety and security...". Is this legal? How can the school expect to absolve themselves from the safety of the children?

What is the education departments policy regarding indemnity forms

Hi, I have this year changed my son's school due to various reasons, transport , distance etc. I am a single Mom but his Dad has a very active role in his life regarding education, etc. He is getting used to the new school rules, activities, diary, teachers. I was concerned that the teachers didnot sign the diary as in the previous school as i saw this as a form of communication between teacher and parent and acknowledgement that we both agree and understand any issues involving my child.

I am divorced 4 years. Divorce decree states school fees should be 50/50. My ex husband told me that everything is included in the maintenance. When we when to maintenance court the clerk of the court said that the school fees is a seperate amount from the maintenance. The ex says i accepted it like that for the four years i cannot enforce that rule now, but he was the one that told me its not extra - what can i do?

The school wants us as parents to sign a blank indeminty absolving them and anyone else linked to the school for any injury/harm that our child may incur at the school or in any extra-mural activities. Is this normal ?

Hi I have a 1997 divorce settlement decree, stating that I am responsible for half (50%) of the school fees and my wife the other half. She has neglegted to pay her half, is in financial difficulty and have been refused subsidation. Subsequently the school is coming after me. Is my highcourt divorce decree binding / valid / defendable in the case of a school fee suit against me from the school? Please advise? Regards

My Gr 10 Daugther in a public school used cellphone in class (listened to music). Phone was confiscated and school wanted to keep it for apprx. 7 school days. I do not agree with the confiscating as the phone is to be used to contact me / mother for ICE - safety measure. I aggree to maximum "punishment" at school. Please assist.

Hi can you please be of assistance or guide me in the righr direction. My son is currently being bullied and is reluctant to start school this week. I have appraoached the principal via email to set up an appointment. Is this the correct start? I have not gone to the police( the messages my son was sent had direct threats of what was going to happen to him as well as the real filthy swear words used) nor to this boys parents. Please advise

I have been divorced for almost 4 years and according to the divorce decree, my ex is supposed to pay all the school fees, which he has not. Can I hand this in at the schools so they bill him for it? What happens if he does not pay?

My domestic workers 7 year old daughter was born in South Africa and has until now been living in Zimbabwe. Her school there has closed due lack of teachers. Our local goverment school has been very resistant about admitting her and now say they will not admit her unless she has her Grade 1 or a later report which we do not have and should we be able get it, it will take some time to get. What can I do? Aine

What laws apply to private schools in respect of withholding report cards due to parent inability to meet commitments?

Can the school hold back my son's report card because somone removed a school text book and now I have to replace the book - which is not a problem - he explained that he will buy the book over the holidays and replace the book when school reopens in 2009

Hi Phillipa I am a single Mom , divorced for 9 years and only receive R 200 for my two children. Their father is suppose to pay for their schooling, stationary, uniforms etc. But until today he has never paid a cent.I tried to get an increase but then he doesnt come for the court appreance.He now wants the children to visit him in Cape Town. He is expecting me to pay for the plane tickets.I have e-mailed him to let him know that I am not prepared to do this and the children's schooling.

Please, I am looking for advise on the following. My son attends a private school in Gauteng, he is 13yrs old and has been there since he was 5yrs old. His older brother attended the same school from 5yrs to 18yrs. We are behind in school fee's purely and utterly due to lack of finances. My husband does work but, we are finding it hard. The school is holding back our eldest sons matric certificate because of outstanding fees. We have just asked for a up to date statement.

My 4 yr old son has the nicest personality when he's home with us, but he gets into fights at school, which escalates when he is out in time-out. The nature of the comlaints Im getting ranges from hitting other kids, to biting and kicking anyone around him, including the teacher. This is totally out of character and has only been happening the last month or two. Ive tried lecturing him, explaining to him and even punishing him - to no avail. I get the feeling he might be bullied, but I dont know

My husband ex wife has custody of their 4 children. One is staying with her sister, one is staying with his brother,his eldest son is 16 years old and refuse to go to school or work and has been at home now for 4 years, youngest son is wrongly put in grade:1. His youngest son don't regurlarly attend school and therefore has a learning dissibily. We have spoken to the social worker. She says she can't do nothing as long as the chidl is not being abused

My son was studying at UCO,he lost interest in his studies because he attends classes only if the account has been paid for that specific month.So,now i've been handed over to the lawyers,of which I feel that our contract was a monthly agreement.What am I paying if my son did not have access to their premises when the account was not payed?

My husband lost his job and it looks like next year we really will struggle with school fees at the government school my boys go to. I would like to know what the process is to apply for an exemption. Is it the same for all schools?