South Africa suspends principal over exam denial linked to unpaid fees

A secondary school principal in South Africa’s Free State province has been suspended after a Grade 12 learner was allegedly prevented from writing an examination over unpaid school fees, prompting the education department to launch an investigation and seek a solution for the affected pupil.

The learner, from Selelekela Secondary School in Qwa-Qwa, was denied the opportunity to sit her English First Additional Language Paper 3 examination recently, according to the provincial Department of Education.

The department suspended the principal, who was also serving as the chief invigilator, with immediate effect on Friday, 23 October, pending an investigation into the incident.

“The chief invigilator, who is also the principal of the school, has been suspended with immediate effect pending the investigation,” departmental spokesperson Howard Ndaba said.

The deputy principal has since taken over as chief invigilator for the remainder of the 2026 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.

Department seeks solution for missed paper

With the learner having missed a crucial examination paper, the department is working to secure an alternative arrangement that would allow her to complete the examination without having to wait until the next examination cycle.

Ndaba said the learner was continuing to write her remaining papers according to her examination timetable and had been offered psychosocial support.

“The affected candidate is currently writing her remaining examinations in accordance with her personal timetable, and psychosocial support has been provided,” he said.

The department is preparing an application to Umalusi, South Africa’s education quality assurance council, seeking a concession for the missed English First Additional Language Paper 3 examination.

“The department is finalising all reports and supporting documentation for submission to Umalusi through the Department of Basic Education, to request a concession in respect of English FAL P3,” Ndaba said.

The outcome of the application will determine how the missed paper is addressed. The department hopes to secure a concession rather than require the learner to rewrite the examination in June 2027.

Schools warned against fee-related exclusions

The incident has prompted a fresh warning to schools that disputes over unpaid fees must not stand in the way of learners’ right to education or their opportunity to complete examinations.

“School fee disputes must never compromise a candidate’s opportunity to write,” the department said.

Under South Africa’s Schools Act, public schools cannot deny learners access to education because of unpaid school fees. The law provides a framework for managing school fees and related disputes without excluding learners from their education.

The investigation will examine the circumstances surrounding the learner’s exclusion from the examination, while the department pursues a remedy for the missed paper.

For the learner, the immediate priority is to complete her remaining examinations while the authorities work to ensure that the missed paper does not unfairly jeopardise her academic future.