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IOL News
16-07-2025
- Lifestyle
- IOL News
Back to School: Essential tips for parents and kids
Girls school shoes South African schools officially open next week Image: Adrian de Kock As the final days of the school holidays tick away, families across the country are shifting gears from lazy mornings and play-filled afternoons to lunchbox prep and early bedtimes. The transition back to school doesn't have to be a mad scramble with a bit of planning, both parents and children can ease into the new term feeling ready and even a little excited. Here's a handy to-do list compiled by tips from a group of parents to help you and yours find your rhythm again before the school bell rings. FOR PARENTS: KEEPING IT TOGETHER (MOSTLY) 1. Uniforms and supplies: check start with the basics: Make sure uniforms still fit, shoes haven't mysteriously shrunk, and socks actually match. If stationery went missing or mysteriously walked away last term, now's the time to stock up. 2. Label, Label, Label: Lunchboxes, water bottles, pencil cases, anything portable should be labelled. 3. Refresh the lunchbox game: Get ahead by shopping for your little one's lunch box. Try prepping a few freezer-friendly snacks or testing out fun new sandwich combos kids notice when lunch gets a glow-up. 4. Reset the sleep schedule: Late holiday nights make for rough school mornings. Gradually shift bedtimes earlier in the week leading up to the first day this way, the school-morning shock is less brutal for everyone. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 5. Talk goals and worries: Before the term begins, carve out time to talk. Ask your child what they're looking forward to, and listen to any anxieties. Sometimes just chatting about it can make a big difference. 6. Organise transport and routine: Lift clubs, aftercare, sports days double-check your transport plans are still good to go. Revisit your morning and after-school routines too, especially if things felt chaotic last term. FOR KIDS: GEARING UP FOR A NEW TERM 1. Pack and prepare: Get your backpack sorted! Make sure you've got your books, stationery, timetable, and anything special for your first day. 2. Uniform planning: Lay out your uniform, help mommy and daddy clean your shoes, it all helps you walk in with confidence. 3. Make your homework space yours: Decorate your "working" corner with drawings, stickers or even a small plant. A comfy space can help make homework feel less like a chore. 4. Start sleeping earlier: We know holidays mean late nights, but going to bed just a little earlier every night can help make waking up way less painful. 5. Set a goal for the term: Whether it's reading more books, getting better at maths, or joining a club, choose something that excites you and share it with someone you trust. 6. Plan something fun: Pick a fun after-school or weekend activity to look forward to. Even a trip to the park or movie night can keep spirits high as you settle back into school life. BONUS TIP: Print this list, stick it on the fridge, and tick off each item as you go. Getting back into routine doesn't have to be boring turn it into a game, celebrate small wins, and give yourselves grace. Weekend Argus
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
School fees, legal duties, and debt - a guide for parents and principals
Girls school shoes South African schools - both fee-paying public and independent - are grappling with a sobering challenge- unpaid tuition fees Image: Adrian de Kock South African schools - both fee-paying public and independent - are grappling with a sobering challenge- unpaid tuition fees. For many institutions, outstanding debt threatens not only their financial sustainability but also their ability to deliver quality education. At the same time, many parents face real financial hardship Ashleigh Laurent, Legal Counsel at TPN from MRI Software, said the current situation calls not only for empathy but also for legal clarity, transparent communication, and proactive engagement between schools and parents. "From my vantage point as a legal advisor working with educational institutions, the complexities of this situation emerge starkly. "The legal framework governing these interactions provides mechanisms for the prevention and enforcement of fee-related issues, yet the effectiveness of these measures hinges on how both schools and parents choose to fulfil their respective responsibilities," she explained. For many institutions, outstanding debt threatens not only their financial sustainability but also their ability to deliver quality education Image: File Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Schools: Establishing clarity and compliance For schools, the commencement of addressing unpaid fees lies in the development of clear, enforceable fee agreements. Laurent said the absence of clarity in documents often leads to disputes that could have been resolved preemptively. "A well-drafted agreement must stipulate essential elements such as tuition amounts, due dates, payment methods, and repercussions for defaulting on payments. This not only safeguards both parties but also sets clear expectations from the outset," she added. Moreover, schools have a legal duty, as outlined by the South African Schools Act and Exemption Regulations, to notify parents in writing and promptly about annual school fees and the procedures for applying for fee exemptions. Laurent said this responsibility primarily rests with the governing body and principal of the school, who are tasked with guiding parents through the exemption and appeals process whenever necessary. In instances of fee defaults, early intervention plays a vital role. Schools should reach out to parents who fall behind on payments to engage in meaningful discussions about possible solutions. If exemptions do not apply and no payment agreement can be reached, schools are legally permitted to take further action, including issuing letters of demand, listing parents with credit bureaus, or even pursuing legal judgment through the courts. However, these actions must conform to legislative guidelines, including the National Credit Act, and should follow fair and lawful procedures. Parents: Understanding rights and responsibilities On the flip side, parents also have a crucial role in navigating the tuition fee landscape. It is imperative that they actively seek to understand their financial commitments when enrolling their children in fee-paying schools. Prompt inquiries and careful reading of fine print can prevent many misunderstandings. In the face of financial difficulties, parents need to act swiftly and communicate openly before fees escalate. "Particularly for parents of children in fee-paying public schools, it is important to note that exemptions are not automatically granted. "The law is clear; individuals must apply annually for fee exemptions, and schools have no obligation to consider financial hardship without a formal application. Consequently, failure to act can leave parents liable for fees that could have potentially been mitigated," Laurent said. Should financial strain prove insurmountable, parents may need to contemplate transitioning to more affordable educational options. While this decision can be emotionally taxing, it might present a practical way to ensure that children's education continues without accumulating unsustainable debt. As with all agreements, adherence to the required notice period is essential to avoid incurring additional penalties.
IOL News
04-05-2025
- Politics
- IOL News
Sanef and partners launch initiative to protect journalists and human rights defenders
Sanef, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and Amnesty International SA launched a new initiative to protect journalists and human rights defenders. Image: - Human rights organisations and the South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) have launched a new initiative to protect journalists and human rights defenders from any form of threat and intimidation. Sanef, Lawyers for Human Rights (LHR) and Amnesty International SA, launched 'Create Project' to safeguard journalists and human rights from rising threats in the form of online abuse, physical intimidation, surveillance and harassment. The project, called Capacitating Resilience, Enhancing Accountability and Transforming the Environment (Create), aims to strengthen the protection of journalists and human rights defenders in Southern Africa. The organisations said journalists and human rights defenders in South Africa and the region are facing rising threats in the form of online abuse, physical intimidation, surveillance and harassment in the face of a global anti-rights movement. This comes as the organisations celebrated World Freedom Day on Saturday. May 3 acts as a reminder to the governments of the need to respect their commitment to press freedom. The organisations said the initiative recognised that attacks on media freedom and civic activism were not isolated and that they are part of a broader pattern aimed at silencing truth and undermining the democratic space. The project is designed to push back against that. In March 2018, former EFF deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, who is now the umKhonto weSizwe (MK) party secretary general, was caught on camera intimidating a multimedia journalist Adrian de Kock outside parliament. In 2020, police in Swaziland raided the home of Zweli Martin Dlami, the editor of the Swaziland News, and arrested him for two articles he published about King Mswati III, lying about the political and economic situation and accusing him of promoting a cultural ceremony where women could be sexually abused. His laptops, cellphones, hard drives and other electronic devices were also seized. In April 2021, SABC Radio news journalist Phanuel Shuma was forced to lay a charge of intimidation with police after brothers Manqoba and Lucky Khoza, who were accused of murder and a prosecutor accused of taking a bribe, wanted him to derail their case, at his workplace in Pretoria. In 2022, human rights defenders Ayanda Ngila and Siyabonga Manqele were murdered and joined the growing list of activists who have been assassinated for their work, like environmental activist Mam'Fikile Ntshangase and whistleblower Babita Deokaran, who were killed for their role in advocating for the rights of marginalised communties and speaking out against corruption. The new initiative aims to build a safe, supportive, and responsive environment where journalists can do their work without fear, and where defenders of human rights can continue to raise their voices without being punished for it. Sanef executive director Reggy Moalusi said, 'This is a key training initiative, coming at the right time when journalists across southern Africa are increasingly being harassed and intimidated. We seek to see a better environment where journalists are better treated and are allowed to do their work without any fear of being hunted down by those who simply hate the work they do, and they are afraid of being exposed for all the wrongdoing.' At the core of the project is the development of a system where journalists can report threats and harassment safely and confidentially. These reports will not only help secure emergency support for those in immediate danger but will also contribute to a growing body of evidence that can be used to hold perpetrators accountable and influence legal and policy reforms. Amnesty International SA executive director Shenilla Mohamed said, 'This is an important project which underscores the work Amnesty International South Africa, along with other organisations, has been doing on human rights defenders. Journalists, like all human rights defenders, need to be protected. Attacks on journalists ultimately restrict the right to freedom of expression in the country and have the potential to limit the right of the public to access accurate information in the public interest. A vibrant and free press is a key building block of any society.' By collecting and analysing data on threats and trends, the CREATE project will help shape more informed responses from policymakers, media organizations, and human rights institutions. The aim is to close the gaps that currently allow perpetrators of harassment and violence to act without consequence. The organisations added that to protect press freedom, the broader environment must be safe for all defenders of rights and democracy. The project strengthens referral networks and access to information so that more defenders, not just those in major cities or established media, can get help when they need it most.
