Angelique Serrao of The Star, is commended by the Media Monitoring Project (MMP) for highlighting the right of children to an education, regardless of whether they are able to pay school fees. Her article, “Schools not acting within law over pupils’ fees” (09/07/08, p. 5), summarises the findings by a legal expert on the right to ask for free education in South Africa.

Serrao’s article provides an example of one the key functions of media in a democracy. This function is to inform people of their rights, and where the actions of organisations and government bodies may be violating these.

Furthermore, Serrao has taken an article published in a legal journal, rarely accessed by members of the public, and made the key points, regarding citizens, more accessible.

As summarised in the article, South Africa needs and is seeking massive improvement in education. However, despite school attendance being compulsory for children aged 7 to 15, a major barrier to accessing education is schools not allowing children to attend where their families cannot pay school fees.

Serrao quotes a legal expert to highlight that this is illegal; that parents have the right to apply for an exemption.and where they cannot afford fees should be given exemptions.

In a country where skills shortages are critical, and children are required by law to attend school, this article fulfills a vital function in keeping parents and children informed about their rights regarding education.

This is even more important when, as the article also covers, the Department of Education and schools do not assist families in knowing their rights and actively discriminate against children for failure to pay fees.

As the article is a summary of the findings published by a legal expert, it is appropriate that Serrao quotes heavily from the findings.

Angelique Serrao is currently a student of the University of Wits accredited course, “Reporting on Children”, run by the Media Monitoring Project.