North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi, has issued a stern warning to schools that are withholding learners’ academic results or report cards, stressing that the practice is unlawful.
Motsumi condemned principals who refused to release report cards due to outstanding school fees, noting that several schools across the province attempted to withhold results as the fourth term of the 2025 academic year concluded on Wednesday.
According to Section 41(7) of the South African Schools Act, no learner may be denied the right to fully participate in school programmes — including the right to receive their report card. The regulation applies to all public and independent schools from Grade R to 12.
Speaking on YOUFM Newshour, education department spokesperson Vuyo Mantshule said the MEC had been inundated with complaints from parents and learners who reported being denied their results.
“The MEC condemned this decision by some school principals who refused to release school report cards due to outstanding fees. She regards this action as highly unacceptable and has warned principals to desist from doing so. Every year she repeats the same message: learners must receive their report cards,” Mantshule said.
Mantshule assured parents and learners that the department is actively addressing the complaints.
“We are attending to each case, school by school, to assess the merits and to review the agreements made between schools and parents. Once we have done that, we will be in a better position to resolve the issue,” he explained.
The department urged schools to pursue alternative, lawful methods to recover outstanding fees rather than adopting measures that could jeopardise learners’ futures.
“MEC Motsumi emphasised that schools must engage directly with parents — not learners — when recovering outstanding money. Parents must also honour the commitments they make to schools,” Mantshule added.
He further highlighted that learners cannot be punished for agreements they did not enter into.
“Agreements are signed by school management and parents, not learners. Withholding a report card is unjustified and can compromise a child’s future — especially for those progressing to another grade or transitioning to a new school next year,” said Mantshule.
