Chapter 13 - Children in need of special protection - Children's ...

529As will be discussed <strong>in</strong> <strong>Chapter</strong> 25, exist<strong>in</strong>g social security provision is for the most part limitedto children under seven years. <strong>Children</strong> over the age <strong>of</strong> six years are not automatically able toaccess free medical services <strong>in</strong> the public health sector. The Regulations 6 to the South AfricanSchools Act 84 <strong>of</strong> 1996 do not make explicit provision for persons other than a parent (if he orshe lacks the necessary f<strong>in</strong>ances) or a foster parent or children’s home to be exempted frompayment <strong>of</strong> school fees. In addition, schools are under f<strong>in</strong>ancial pressure and there are manyreports about children who cannot pay fees and children who do not have uniforms be<strong>in</strong>g deniedaccess, albeit this is <strong>in</strong> contravention <strong>of</strong> the regulations. This apparently happens partly throughdevices such as ensur<strong>in</strong>g that the school is filled to capacity with fee-payers, or throughpressures exerted on the learners themselves with<strong>in</strong> the school sett<strong>in</strong>g, who may be shamed bystaff or barred from extramural activities.<strong>13</strong>.1.3 Approaches <strong>in</strong> other systemsAssistance is provided with primary heath care and education for impoverished children <strong>in</strong>various African countries. In Zimbabwe, primary education is compulsory, and tuition is free <strong>in</strong>rural areas. Uganda and Malawi also <strong>of</strong>fer free primary education, and Malawi provides grantsfor books and cloth<strong>in</strong>g. 7 Primary health care <strong>in</strong> a number <strong>of</strong> countries is free or available at lowcost to certa<strong>in</strong> sectors <strong>of</strong> the population. For <strong>in</strong>stance, <strong>in</strong> Zambia this applies to children. 8Zimbabwe <strong>of</strong>fers free primary health care <strong>in</strong> rural health centres, free health care for childrenbelow 5 years <strong>of</strong> age and free health care based on a means test. 9<strong>13</strong>.1.4 Recommendations6 Exemption <strong>of</strong> Parents from the Payment <strong>of</strong> School Fees Regulations, 1998. GN No.1293 <strong>of</strong> 1998 <strong>in</strong>Government Gazette No. 19347, 12 October 1998. The relevant provisions <strong>of</strong> the Regulations read asfollows: The Regulations to the South African School Act 84 <strong>of</strong> 1986 provide as follows for exemption frompayment <strong>of</strong> school fees:· Parents whose comb<strong>in</strong>ed annual gross <strong>in</strong>come is less than ten times the annual school fees perlearnerqualify for full exemption.· Parents whose comb<strong>in</strong>ed annual gross <strong>in</strong>come is less than thirty times, but more than ten times theannualschool fees per learner qualify for partial exemption.· A person who has the responsibility <strong>of</strong> a parent for a learner placed <strong>in</strong> a foster home,foster care or place <strong>of</strong> safety is exempted from payment <strong>of</strong> school fees.7 UNICEF <strong>Children</strong> <strong>in</strong> Need <strong>of</strong> Special Protection Measures The Grow<strong>in</strong>g Needs <strong>of</strong> <strong>Children</strong> who haveLost Caregivers due to HIV/AIDS, Draft Strategy Paper, March 1998.8 Orphans and HIV/AIDS <strong>in</strong> Zambia Draft Report <strong>of</strong> an Assessment <strong>of</strong> UNICEF Programm<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> Zambia for<strong>Children</strong> and <strong>Children</strong> Affected by HIV/AIDS, July 1998.9 Hunter S Draft Report on Community Based Orphan Assistance <strong>in</strong> Zimbabwe: Develop<strong>in</strong>g andExpand<strong>in</strong>g National Models by Build<strong>in</strong>g Partnerships with NGOs, CBOs and the Private Sector,September 1998.