PAYMENT OF SCHOOL FEES FOR 2008

This is a new school year with new responsibilities. One of these is our financial responsibility towards the running of our school, which we wish to address as a matter of urgency.

By law the total school fees are payable in advance. However, we realize that this is a large once off expense and therefore most schools allow parents to settle this on a monthly basis.

The following two methods of payment are allowed for school fees during 2008:

METHOD OF PAYMENT	AMOUNT
Once off payment before 1 March 2008	R6 700
Debit order/internet payment over a period of 10 months (First payment 1 February 2008 to 1 November 2008)	R7 250 (R725 per month)

The arrangements for payment of school fees this year are as follows:

1. DEBIT ORDER SYSTEM

We would like to encourage the use of the debit order system. The school benefits by having a steady monthly cash flow and time is saved with regard to recovering debts.

1.1 Parents currently on the debit order system

Parents who have paid by means of the debit order system in 2007 do not have to complete a form again. The amount will be adjusted to R725.

1.2 New parents

New parents must complete a debit form (obtainable from the financial secretary) and return it to her by 1 February 2008. We kindly request you to include a cheque of R725 for the first payment with your completed debit order form, as there will not be enough time to process all the information on the new forms. New forms, which are returned before 21 January 2008, will reflect the debit order on your bank statement by 1 February 2008. Please check your bank statement in this regard.

2. INTERNET PAYMENTS

If you make a direct or internet payment of school fees, the account number (NOT the learner’s name) must be clearly indicated on your statement as reference number. Our bank details are as follows:

ABSA Bank Durbanville

Account no: 1410 670 115

Bank code: 334810

Fax or e-mail the slip as proof of payment to fax number (021) 975-1706 or e-postal address accounts@durbanville-primary.com.

The first payment must be made on or before 1 February 2008.

3. CASH PAYMENTS

We suggest that cash payments should be done directly at the bank, as it is a much safer option. Refer to No 2 for banking details. If it is impossible to make use of this request, you may use one of the following methods:

3.1 a cash payment can be made directly to the debt administrator whereby you will immediately be issued with a receipt.

3.2 in a sealed envelope. The following detail must appear on the envelope: Name, grade, and the amount. The correct amount and the statement must be in the envelope.

The envelope must be placed, by the pupil concerned, in the post box at the inside of the main entrance. As soon as the payment has been processed, a receipt will be given to the class teacher, who in turn will hand it to the pupil. Please ensure that you receive this receipt.

We, however, request that cash payments be kept to a minimum.

4. ACCOUNTS IN ARREARS

If an account is in arrears by one month or more, the Governing Body will investigate whether the parent qualifies for exemption before acting in terms of Section 41(1) of the Schools Act. Thereafter these accounts in arrears will be handed over to the school’s debt collector. Interest and administrative costs will be added to the amount in arrears.

Once an account has been handed over, the debt collector, for the remainder of the financial year, will handle the account. All correspondence and collections will then become the duty of the debt collector.

5. Account enquiries may be made to the school’s debtors administrator, Mrs Esterhuizen from 07:30 to 15:00. Kindly have your reference number at hand for any queries.

6. Kindly notify Mrs Esterhuizen immediately of any change of address or telephone numbers.

7. Should you be in a financial position where you are unable to pay the school fees, kindly contact Mrs Esterhuizen in writing, for a financial aid form. Completed financial aid forms must reach Mrs Esterhuizen before 31 January 2008. Mrs Esterhuizen will present your details to the school’s financial committee for evaluation.

We trust that you will find the above-mentioned arrangements in order and we look forward to your full support to ensure that our 2008 budget needs are met.

Yours faithfully

D. du Toit (Mrs) I. Esterhuizen

CHAIRMAN : FINANCIAL COMMITTEE DEBTORS ADMINISTRATOR