{"id":14014,"date":"2016-09-13T16:31:12","date_gmt":"2016-09-13T14:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/responsive.jozikids.co.za\/zaparents\/?p=14014"},"modified":"2022-06-22T11:56:49","modified_gmt":"2022-06-22T09:56:49","slug":"little-ones-shouldnt-take-money-to-school","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jozikids.co.za\/blog\/lifestyle\/finance\/little-ones-shouldnt-take-money-to-school\/","title":{"rendered":"Little ones shouldn’t take money to school"},"content":{"rendered":"

I know that this is a dilemma faced by many South African parents as most schools rely on fundraisers to upgrade sports facilities, make classrooms more interactive, etc. \u00a0Normally these fundraisers are cake and candy sales, raffles or fun days at school, often during the week. Parents are usually not there to supervise their children who enjoy the prospect of \u201cgoing shopping\u201d without mum and dad. In my experience\u00a0these events are fraught with problems where parents feel pressured to spend too\u00a0much money on the one hand, and also worry about the lack of supervision which can lead to abuse by older children.<\/p>\n

When a fundraiser is announced, the class teacher recommends that parents send the child to school with a proposed amount of money without giving the parents a chance to decide for themselves.\u00a0The parents then <\/span>feel obliged to give whatever is suggested to\u00a0avoid embarrassing their kids.<\/p>\n

I have on numerous occasions suggested\u00a0that a list of items be sent home so that parents can sit with their kids and decide together \u2013 but this idea has always been dismissed by the school.<\/p>\n

I once gave my 6 year old\u00a0son R20 to support the cake and candy sale. He was very excited about going to school but when I saw him after school and asked\u00a0what he had bought, \u00a0I was told\u00a0\u201cjust a sweet mommy\u201d, and when I asked further \u201chow much was it\u201d a reply of \u201cR2\u201d was given.\u00a0<\/span>\u201cWhere\u2019s your change?\u201d \u00a0I asked \u201cno change mommy\u201d he replied.<\/p>\n

I subsequently found out\u00a0that older kids served\u00a0the younger kids and when my child gave his money he was told immediately \u2013 “there is no change”. Being a new young student at the school he felt intimidated and went to play with his friends.<\/p>\n

This, and other similar experiences have left my kids and many other kids in the foundation phase sad, confused and disappointed.
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

Last year the school had a fun day on a week day with rides, games and other fun activities. Parents were\u00a0not invited but were told to send R150 for the event. Once again, the amount is not obligatory but the children believe that what the teacher says is correct and what the parent says is wrong \u2013 so, to not disappoint my child \u2013 I sent the requested amount which was converted into tickets. My child left these tickets in his bag and sadly his water bottle leaked and all the tickets got wet \u2013 the school did not accept the tickets and so my child did not have a fun day.<\/span><\/p>\n

A similar incident happened to another mom whose son\u00a0lost R40 worth of tickets and another whose money never reached the school \u00a0 Although everything I have said here may sound emotional \u2013 I truly believe that children in the foundation phase should not be taking money to school. \u00a0Teachers\u00a0should not be talking money to a grade R or a\u00a0grade 1 child \u2013 I feel it\u2019s too much pressure on the children. Think of the children in the class whose parents \u00a0actually cannot afford the money?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Ways to overcome these issues?<\/span><\/h2>\n

1.<\/span>\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0H<\/span>ave fun days on weekends so that \u00a0parents, especially of foundation phase children can come and supervise their kids.<\/span><\/p>\n

2.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Instead of tickets on fun days use an arm band and sell day passes to kids, \u00a0again especially for the foundation phase children.<\/span><\/p>\n

3.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>For other sales send pictures and prices home of the items at least a couple of days before the event so that children can choose, with their parent’s help what they will get, and the correct amount of money can be sent to school.<\/span><\/p>\n

4.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Do not let older students serve younger kids \u2013 incorrect change can be given and sometimes no change at all.<\/span><\/p>\n

5.<\/span>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span>Try and become a \u201ccashless\u201d school \u2013 many schools in Johannesburg are opting for the \u201cno cash\u201d route and although this might prove quite expensive \u2013 if schools can raise money for fancy sports centres then they should consider raising for this good course as well.<\/span><\/p>\n

I \u00a0believe that parents should ask themselves \u2013 how many of us would give our 6 year old R20 and allow them to walk to the shop around the corner to buy sweets?<\/span><\/p>\n

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