The widening gap and accessibility of sports for most South African school children is only increasing.
With more parents struggling to afford extra-curricular sports activities, it takes the conversation back to the matter of privilege.
Most schools have an extra-curricular sports calendar which is in additional cost implication for parents. Many, who already face financial hardship to afford school fees cannot maintain the added costs of sport.
This means sport falls into the category of ‘optional’ for many parents and their children don’t partake as a result.
Non-participation means most South African scholars miss opportunities for sporting scholarships and bursaries and further opportunities.
Children from low-income or single-income households consistently face hurdles that prevent them from participating in sports.
The cost of sporting equipment, kits and training sessions are exorbitant in South Africa with most schools out-sourcing the service providers who manage the activities.
While there are a few schools that include sports as part of their curriculum, the majority of South African families prioritize academics over the sport.
A Twitter user shared an image of cricket bats this week and the cost of an average bat varies between R900 to R2000.
The price of cricket bats these days ???? pic.twitter.com/63Cf247vv3
— Katleho (@Katle_SA) April 13, 2021
This excludes cricket gear like the pads, helmet, and gloves. For parents who would need to pay an additional fee for cricket lessons, this could mean that parents spend an estimated R4820 a year for sporting activities.
Another parent pointed out how working-class parents don’t have the luxury of choosing extra-curricular activities. Most parents prioritize aftercare because they need their kids to be safe while they’re at work.
It’s really easy to point fingers at parents but so much support for working class parents has been lost. The increase in 0 hr contracts and insecure contracts coupled with rising cost of living mean working parents(esp. single mums) are having to work more just to get by
— Emma-Jane Faulkner (@emmajfaulkner) April 9, 2021
If they’re at work, they can’t keep an eye on them. Covid has really shown how outside school hours, there’s nowhere for these kids to go when the parents aren’t home. Youth clubs have been hit hard. Extra curricular activities are expensive. As kids get older, it gets harder.
— Emma-Jane Faulkner (@emmajfaulkner) April 9, 2021
It is well known that public schools in the country are not properly funded, but the issue of sporting activities even in the private education space is not easy to access for all parents.
