Introduction

Raphela Juniors School (RJS) is a private education institution. The Raphela Junior School Fees Policy aims to (i) outline to families the expectations, responsibilities, and arrangements for the collection of school fares and (ii) support families experiencing changed and difficult financial circumstances to maintain their child’s/children’s enrolment at the school. 

RJS is committed to providing a holistic educational experience for learners from diverse backgrounds. The school tuition is the major source of revenue levied to finance the operational activities. It is with this intention in mind that RJS aims to maintain an optimum fees level that will be tenable to the operation of the school and to the affordability of the parents/guardians.

Raphela Parent Responsibility

When enrolling children at RJS, parents are advised of the fee structure and it is imperative that parents understand and commit themselves to fulfilling these obligations. The seriousness of this commitment cannot be overemphasized. That therefore makes prompt payment of all fees the responsibility of all parents/guardians of RJS learners. The tuition collected by the school are essential in providing a high quality of education for learners, and are used for the following purposes:

  • provide resources, materials, facilities and educational equipment
  • provide administrative, teaching and ground staff compensation
  • maintain buildings, grounds and other facilities.

Information about our school fees is provided in the following ways:

  • on the school website
  • at enrolment interviews
  • within the school circular
  • on request. 

Raphela Board Responsibility

The Raphela Junior School Board has the responsibility on behalf of the total school community to review and recommend fee levels. The key factors taken into consideration when adjusting fees include inflation of operating expenses, staff compensation growth curve and profit targets as prescribed by the school directors. The board, in carrying out these duties will make every effort to ensure that the increases in tuition are reasonable and communicated in a timely manner to allow for parents/guardians to plan and adjust their tuition budgets.

Payment of Tuition Fees

The acceptance by parents/guardians of a position at Raphela Junior School assumes the ability to pay fees in full by the due date. Various payment options are available, with the school’s preference being (i) directly to the schools’ bank accounts , (ii) through direct transfer and (iii) through school Pay

Tuition Fees Billing Schedule

  1. At the end of every academic term, learners shall be issued a Fee Note/Invoice indicating the fees due for the next academic term. This affords parents ample time to make arrangements to settle the fees by the first day of school re-opening.
  2. Learners admitted to RJS before half term will be required to pay the full term’s fees whereas those admitted after half term will be charged 50% of fees.

Tuition Fee billing Proce​​dure

  1. Fee Note/Invoice of full fees will be issued by the school at the end of each academic term. The fees account shall be paid before the first day of the following term.  
  2. Reminder notices and phone calls will be sent to parents/guardians past the due date of the relevant term account.
  3. Any arrangements to vary the conditions for payment must be made through the school administration and may involve discussions with the school directors.
  4. Should the account remain outstanding, the school will contact the parent/guardian to organise a meeting with the Busar or Head administration, at a mutually agreeable time.  The meeting will include a discussion of the issues surrounding fee payment and to reach an agreement on payment conditions. The outcome of the meeting will be confirmed in writing to the parent/guardian.
  5. If the parent/guardian does not communicate with the Busar or Head administration about the outstanding account, the Head administration will decide the necessary action, which may include but not limited to referral to a debt recovery agency.  

Admission Fees

A one-time mandatory Admission fee shall be paid upon admission to the school for each child irrespective of the length of the learners’ school attendance or the time of enrolment. Note: The admission fee and tuition fee is subject to change by the school board depending on the prevailing circumstances.

Tuition Refund

We appreciate that changing family circumstances will sometimes require that a student transfer to another school. Parents are required to give the school ONE academic term’s notice IN WRITING and receive an acknowledgment IN WRITING from Head administration, in the event they are withdrawing their child(ren) from school. This gives the school ample time to re-work and re-adjust budgets for the next term. Fees will Not be refunded in cases where Fair Notice is Not given or where Fair Notice is impractical. The school administration reserves the right to acceptance or refusal of a given tuition refund request.

Non-Payment of Fees

On rare occasions, when parents/guardians fail to pay their account,and /or do not respond to reminder notices and do not contact the school to make alternative arrangements. The school will reluctantly be forced to consider engaging the services of the school’s professional legal team.  

Any fees incurred by the school in collecting outstanding fees (including fees for dishonoured cheques) will be passed on to the parent/guardian concerned.

Space Retention Deposit

This deposit is payable at the time a learner is to pause schooling at RJS for whatever reason in order to guarantee a place for the following term/academic year. The Space Retention Deposit is a non-refundable payment, and it is 25% of the tuition fees. Paying this deposit confirms your space at RJS – which means the spot will not be given to another learner.