Section 29(1)(a) of the Constitution of South Africa states that everyone has the right to a basic education. But things have changed. Education is not so basic anymore. Sending a child to school has become too expensive, whether you send your child to a private or government school. It has become even worse in recent years with public schools demanding a long list of stationery, expensive school uniforms and fees increasing annually.

My kids just got admitted to a public school, a former Model C on Tuesday. I only applied the day before schools reopened because I recently relocated to Gauteng from Limpopo. My experience was quite pleasant at first when I was told my kids got space at the school near our new residence.?

HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE?

My excitement was short-lived when I was told I needed to pay over 50% of the annual school fees to 'secure' space. What? I asked, where was I expected to get so much money in January. But because I know how difficult and time-consuming it can be to get kids placed in January, I paid. As if that was not bad enough, I received a long list of stationery and that sent me back to over R3000. Who would have thought that we would be paying this much for supposedly free basic education for all? We are forced to buy commercially branded stationery items at exorbitant prices, it's frustrating. The uniform is no different, uniform retailers say prices have increased by 20% since last January, this adds to yet another cost to the parents.?

FRUSTRATION AND DESPAIR

Uniforms set parents back thousands of rands. Divisional manager at the Competition Commission, Khanyisa Qobo says that the price ofschool uniforms is seemingly often tied to the fact that schools prefer one supplier. "We see that single suppliers typically sell unique items, so we encourage more competitive procurement and periodical analysis of suppliers," Qobo told 702. This will take the burden off the parents' shoulders.

A parent whose daughter goes to a rural school in Limpopo says she was shocked when the school told them late last year to pay a donation of R500 before schools opened. All this happens at a no-fee school. "Things are so bad that some kids had to buy stationery because the school did not have enough for everyone. My kid only received two textbooks, I have to buy the rest. How does the government expect Sassa beneficiaries to spend so much on school whe. They promised us free education,' the mother, who didn't want to be named, told ZiMoja.

With the fees and school supplies prices going up every year, starting stationery stokvels might not be such a bad idea.