Expensive school uniforms in South Africa – what parents can do about it

[neoprema]

Ditch them.

 

[bwana]

I too actually support uniforms.

There are just way too many kids who can't afford clothes of luxury brands. Knowing what kids were like when I was at school... I can only imagine what today's kids would be like. SAVAGE!

It's amusing that you think that uniforms will prevent class distinction when there are a thousand other little things that will achieve the same thing.

Ironically it's these small things that will cost parents a lot more than a pair of designer jeans or trendy kicks.

 

[rvZA]

Scools and education in South Africa have become a luxury for the rich.

On a side note, I see some people have complained about government schools refusing to admit children who cannot afford it or had outstanding debt. Some people complained to the department of education as they thought it was illegal.

I see the Department now states that government schools can refuse admission to children. The right to education according to Constitution will now be limited to admitting children to no-fee schools only. I wonder how many of these schools are around. I know our nearest no-fee school is almost 50kms away. I already saw a number of people stating they will not be sending their children to schools if this is the case.

I am interested in seeing how courts will rule on current laws if government cannot provide access to education, although I personally think they have no interest in enforcing these laws. It will be totally up to you whether you send your children or not. Interesting times ahead.

 

[Not_original]

There's always going to be competition though. There will be that girl with R6000 Versace black jeans with a white R5000 Gucci blouse.

Now it's just a Gucci backpack and Versace pencil bag.

I grew up in Grey pep trousers and white shirts. Iirc the only "school branded" things I had was a jersey with the school collars weaved into the collar. Never had anything with an emblem like a blazer
Wore a "close to school colour" drymac if cold mostly

Was there rich kids, sure. Did Igaf, naw. Sat under the tree with a poor kid and two rich ones my entire high school career. None of us gaf

 

[Alton Turner Blackwood]

My kids' school has the most bizarre policy.

The kids aren't allowed to wear their blazers unless they are wearing the school jersey underneath. You are not allowed to wear either on their own.

Then they have different uniform for the middle quarters and first and last quarters.

Then there's the hockey clothes which we regularly have to replace because my kids are growing like its some competition. Combined with this is the fact that they also outgrow their hockey sticks.

But what grinds my gears the most is the fact that there's only one store in the whole of Cape Town that sells their school clothes and I'm pretty sure the school gets a kickback because the prices are out of this world!

 

[rvZA]

My kids' school has the most bizarre policy.

The kids aren't allowed to wear their blazers unless they are wearing the school jersey underneath. You are not allowed to wear either on their own.

Then they have different uniform for the middle quarters and first and last quarters.

Then there's the hockey clothes which we regularly have to replace because my kids are growing like its some competition. Combined with this is the fact that they also outgrow their hockey sticks.

But what grinds my gears the most is the fact that there's only one store in the whole of Cape Town that sells their school clothes and I'm pretty sure the school gets a kickback because the prices are out of this world!

Look, it is all a money-making racket. And, at the end of the day, understandably so. The majority, if not all schools, are no longer getting funds from the education department they used to get. I know 2 primary schools in our town not even getting 5% of the funds they should be getting. These government schools can no longer afford to run schools, pay bills and salaries with the funds they get from the department. So, they need to look at 'creative' ways to make money from parents while they still have money.... This is also the first year I have seen such large number of parents who were refused access to government schools for their children.

Things are crazy.