Do not withhold reports – Steenkamp

The executive director of education, arts and culture, Sanet Steenkamp, has warned schools to avoid withholding pupils’ progress reports.

This comes after parents have complained that some schools are threatening to withhold reports if they do not pay voluntary school fees or contribute reams of paper, among other things, to the school.

Steenkamp says it is wrong to withhold a child’s report as it affects them.

State schools are closing for the year on Friday.

“I honestly do not know why some school principals still do not understand the principles of accessibility. We have been saying it is unacceptable to withhold it,” Steenkamp says.

She says schools should agree with parents on voluntary contributions, as this is supported by the Education Act.

“But these voluntary contributions must not be used a measure of punishment for the child when a parent does not provide,” Steenkamp says.

She encourages parents to properly read newsletters and invitations from schools, and to attend parental meetings.