Cape Town - Some parents believe schools are placing business ahead of education for their children.
Hayley Cloete, whose child attends a school in Mitchells Plain, said the schools in her area are having fundraising events on a weekly basis.
“There were times we could cater, but as things changed, so did the economy. Circumstance makes it difficult for us as parents to keep up with what could be done in the past.
“Our households are becoming expensive, and the salaries stay the same, it has reduced even or (some have) no incomes. Most of us can’t afford the extras/luxuries or spoils anymore, even if we wanted to.
“Our children are young and innocent. They don’t know of the hardship parents endure to keep them happy, even if it’s the last we give, but at times we really can’t. Kids get mentally affected, withdrawn, embarrassed, angry and rebellious.
“They will ask questions such as why can’t they participate? Why can’t they buy things? Or why can’t they have fun like other kids? They don’t want to understand, and this is where they sometimes act out as well,” she said.
Leonardo Stoffberg, whose child attends a school in Blue Downs, said: “I feel schools should have fundraisers as it helps with expenses. However, having fundraising events every week is a bit too much as parents can’t always assist with money, especially if it is not in their budget.
“This also puts a burden on a family as you don’t want your child to feel left out,” he said.
Nicole Madzime, whose children attend a school in Kuils River, said so far for their year, their school had a Valentine’s Day event, food fair and market day.
“The problem I have is the school has things in the middle of the month, and in our household, we both get paid at the end of the month.
“When the school has a food fair, they would ask pupils to donate something towards the event. However, why must parents give something towards the food fair? Then we still need to give out money on the day and for casual wear. I think this is a bit too much to give out.”
A Mitchells Plain teacher, who wanted to remain anonymous, said due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the pressure to raise money has increased.
“Teachers are forced to become creative in raising funds, whether it is character days, pyjama days or popcorn and movie days. Parents feel the extra pressure financially, and they need to be the ones to give or pay.
“As a teacher, I have to beg and plead with parents to please support and donate, knowing that many of them have financial constraints, some have lost either one or two incomes,” she said.
Founder and coordinator of Parents for Equal Education SA Vanessa le Roux said the reality is that schools are under-resourced, and to make ends meet, they have to make use of fundraisers.
“Parents must come on board and come with fresh ideas that don't necessarily place the burden on them. However, schools should also approach corporates, businesses in the area and find other means of fundraising which will lighten the burden on the parents. Schools need the money in order for them to function properly as the budgets allocated by the department are simply not enough,” she said.
Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond said: “We support schools who are making genuine efforts to make the school environment better for its community and its pupils. There are countless schools that participate in fundraising initiatives, if not all schools in the province in some shape or form.
“Covid-19 has had a great impact on our schools and their ability to generate funds. Functions at schools had been cancelled during the (national) state of disaster, and the ability to rent out school premises was not allowed. Fundraising supplements many good initiatives in schools as well as school governing posts,” she said.
Weekend Argus