No-fee schools in 2026
For 2026 the Minister has declared all learners in national quintiles 1, 2 and 3 to be in no-fee schools, with a no-fee threshold of R1 835 per learner.
General information from the Government Gazette, not legal advice.
What the 2026 notice says
- All learners in quintiles 1 to 3, about 60% of public school learners, are in no-fee schools.
- The target allocation per learner is R1 835 in quintiles 1 to 3, R919 in quintile 4 and R315 in quintile 5.
- Provinces may also give quintile 4 and 5 schools no-fee status if funds allow, at least at the threshold level.
- The indicative no-fee threshold for 2027 is R1 919, subject to the next notice.
Fee-charging schools
At every other public school, parents who cannot afford the fees can apply for exemption. Check yours with the exemption calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need an exemption at a no-fee school?
No. No-fee schools may not charge school fees, and the exemption regulations do not apply to them.
How do I know if my child's school is a no-fee school?
Ask the school or your provincial education department. Each province's MEC identifies the no-fee schools, and the Minister publishes the lists.
Can a no-fee school ask for money?
Only in a narrow case: if the province pays it less than the no-fee threshold, the school may charge up to the shortfall (section 39(11) and (12) of the Schools Act).
General information, not legal advice. KayaFees gives general information and estimates based on the South African Schools Act and the Minister's regulations on exemption from school fees, as published in the Government Gazette. It is not legal advice and it is not a decision on your application: only the school governing body (or, on appeal, the provincial Head of Department) decides. KayaFees is not a government website and is not connected to the Department of Basic Education, any provincial education department or any school. Check with your school or provincial education department before you rely on a result.