The value of John Wesley School in the Highway Community
For the most part, our parents and guardians diligently pay their school fees, and we are very grateful for this. 
However, every year, we do encounter challenges in collecting school fees from 10% – 15% of parents and guardians who have their children enrolled at our school. While we understand that financial challenges do arise in life, this does not absolve parents and guardians of their responsibility to keep their school fee payments up to date. John Wesley School is a private institution, and it is a privilege, not a right, for learners to attend our school.
The reasons why it is so critically important to keep school fee payments up to date, especially in the current economic climate, are outlined below, and we invite all members of the John Wesley School community to reflect on these points.
- No Government Funding
Unlike state schools, John Wesley School receives no government funding. We rely exclusively on school fee payments to cover our extensive operating costs.
- Staff Salaries and Benefits
School fees pay for competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain professional, highly competent and qualified teachers and support staff.
- High-Quality Facilities
School fees contribute to the maintenance and improvement of our school’s facilities, such as modern classrooms with audio/visual technology, a well-stocked library, properly maintained sports grounds, and access to IT resources such as those available in our recently revamped and modernised computer lab.
- Smaller Class Sizes
John Wesley School offers smaller class sizes for more personalised attention, which requires more staff members per learner, and therefore more funding.
- Extracurricular Programmes
John Wesley School provides extensive extracurricular activities (academics, sports, music, and cultural), which are supported by school fees.
- Specialised Resources
School fees support specialised programmes such as Learners with Special Education Needs, which very few schools offer.
- Administrative and Operational Costs
Running a school involves many behind-the-scenes costs – utilities, insurance, security, cleaning, and administrative staff – which must be funded.
- Choice
By paying school fees, parents and guardians are making an active choice to select a school that aligns with their values and expectations. Less than 3% of schools in South Africa openly identify as Christian schools. Parents and guardians who have secured the enrolment of their children at John Wesley School, which proudly proclaims the name of Jesus Christ, have in their possession a rare privilege reserved for very few in South Africa.
- Independence in Curriculum Development
John Wesley School has the freedom to expand its curriculum beyond the limits imposed on state schools, making it more innovative, rigorous and challenging. This autonomy requires resources from school fees to develop and implement effectively, thereby retaining the competitive academic advantage that our school enjoys.
- Capital Expenditure
School fees go towards future development projects, such as enhancing health and safety infrastructure, technology upgrades, or expanded educational programmes – thereby ensuring long-term sustainability and growth.
