State and integrated schools can’t make you pay school fees as a condition of your enrolment. It is unlawful for them to refuse to enrol you if you don’t want to pay the fees or can’t afford to pay the fees.

The fees are by law a voluntary donation, which most schools rely on to provide services beyond those that could be paid for from government funding.

But an integrated school can refuse to enrol you if, in the past, you haven’t paid the compulsory attendance dues click here for more information on School Fees and Other Costs).