R10,000 for exams? The hidden price of matric

Matric students and their families face a multitude of hidden costs beyond the obvious expenses like stationery and uniforms. Financial experts warn that the true strain often comes from smaller, unexpected expenditures that accumulate during the final year of school. Debt counsellor Rowan Breeds explains that school fees have become the largest monthly expense for many families after their mortgage, often pushing them into unmanageable debt.

Himal Parbhoo, CEO of FNB Insurance, emphasizes that families should budget for a "bundle" of costs rather than just one. These additional costs include extra lessons, exam preparation courses, university and college applications, certified documents, portfolio preparation, auditions, accommodation for out-of-town assessments, printing, mobile data, transport, and subject-specific materials.

Parents' expectations have shifted, with many now pushing for seven or more distinctions, leading to increased demand for supplementary classes.

Extra lessons can range from R1,930 per month per subject for one weekly class to R550 per hour for IEB exams. Winter schools, revision camps, and mock examinations are also becoming routine for matric learners, with costs varying from a few hundred rand to nearly R1,000 for comprehensive programs. University application fees range from R100 to R300 per application, with extra costs for printing, mobile data, and travel to interviews.

National Benchmark Tests, required by some universities, cost R195 for the Academic and Quantitative Literacy test or R390 for both tests. Remarking examination scripts or reviewing results is an additional fee. Families should focus on costs that protect academic outcomes and future options, such as necessary subjects, application deadlines, required documents, and essential transport for interviews or assessments.

They can consider group tutoring, school-based support, online resources, shared transport, and second-hand materials to manage these expenses.