Public schools across Pietermaritzburg are hiking fees as limited government funding leaves them battling to cover rising operational costs — a situation principals say is forcing parents to shoulder an increasing financial burden while schools struggle to maintain quality education. On average, schools are increasing their fees by about 10% for 2026, following consistent hikes over previous years. For some schools, this means parents will pay between R400 and R800 more per child.
However, the rand value of a 10% increase is far higher at more affluent government schools in the city, which will see annual fee hikes of between R3 000 and R8 000. In an online survey conducted byThe Witness, parents across the city lamented the rising cost of living, with many saying they cannot afford the increases some schools are proposing to balance their budgets and sustain quality education. According to a local principal with a decade-long tenure, the increases stem from the department’s failure to raise funding for quintile four and five schools — fee-paying public schools — for nearly a decade, despite the rising cost of goods and services.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DoE) spokesperson Muzi Mahlambi refuted claims of financial distress by veteran principals who shared their experiences withThe Witness. He said schools receive allocations in line with norms and standards — funds provided by the provincial government to cover operating and educational costs. Mahlambi said there have been delays in the transfer of such funds, but added that these delays do not drive significant school fee increases.
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He did not respond to questions about a possible increase in norms and standards funding. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the principal said stagnant funding from the DoE has financially debilitated schools.
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