· By Mr. Sim · ~2 min read
Paying the School Fees in 2026: A Christian Parent's Honest Reflection on the Sacrifice of the South African Education
Paying the School Fees in 2026: A Christian Parent's Honest Reflection on the Sacrifice of the South African Education
The Scene
The email from the school arrived on the first of December. The fees had gone up by eight percent. The school fees were not going to wait.
Matthew 6:26 — *"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"*
The South African Christian in the situations described above is not alone. The Bible has been speaking to these situations for two thousand years. The Wednesday Bible study in Parkmore has been hearing these passages read, discussed, and applied for ten years. What follows is a distillation of what the Bible says and what we have learned from the journey.
The Biblical View of Children and Education
Proverbs 1:7: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.' The school fees are part of the parent's responsibility to pass on knowledge, wisdom, and values.
The Biblical View of Sacrifice
John 3:30: 'He must become greater; I must become less.' The parent who chooses the school fees over the holiday is living out a small version of this principle.
When the Fees Cannot Be Paid
The Christian parent who cannot pay the school fees carries a deep shame. This shame is often more damaging than the financial problem. Proverbs 14:31: 'Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker.' The parent who is poor is not contemptible.
Practical Steps for the Struggling Parent
Contact the school early. Look at all the options. Resist the social pressure. Involve the church community. Keep the main thing the main thing.
A Prayer for the Parent Paying the School Fees
Father, we bring the school fees. We ask for the wisdom to choose well. We ask for the generosity to share our struggles. We ask for the content in the middle of the sacrifice. Amen.
A Closing Prayer
Father, we bring this struggle to you. We ask for your wisdom, your strength, and your presence. We ask for the community to hold us. We ask for the hope that does not disappoint. Amen.
*Johannesburg Bible Study Church meets online every Wednesday at 7:30pm for a Bible study that is intentionally local and biblically grounded. The Bible study is free, open to anyone, and free to join or to leave. Call Mr. Sim on +27 77 487 1295 or Ms. Dora on +27 67 442 4461.*
Community notes
From people who have shown up.
Honest, lightly edited, with permission. To leave a comment, use the form below — your note goes straight to our team email and we will post it here once we have confirmed with you.
Naledi P.
Parkmore
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I attended my first Sunday picnic with my family. The vibe was warm without being overwhelming. The kids ran around Mushroom Farm Park, the adults talked, and someone brought extra blankets for the cool afternoon.
Johan v.d.M.
Sandton
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The Korean class has become our family Sunday ritual. My wife and I take the class, the kids play. It is the only Sunday we look forward to in the month.