STUDENT REFUND AND CANCELLATION POLICY

1. General principles

Garden Route Skills School aims to apply a fair and transparent refund policy that recognises students' rights while taking account of the costs of preparing and delivering practical training.

This policy applies to course cancellations, student withdrawals, transfers and school-initiated cancellations.

It must be read together with the enrolment agreement and applicable South African consumer protection legislation.

2. Student cancellation requests

Students wishing to cancel must notify the school in writing at info@gardenrouteskillsschool.com.

The request should include the student's full name, course, start date, proof of payment and reason for cancellation.

The date the school receives the written request will be used when assessing the request.

3. Refunds before a course starts

Where a student cancels before the course begins, the school will assess the refund according to the notice given, costs already incurred, the possibility of filling the place and applicable law.

Any administrative charge or deduction must be reasonable, disclosed where required and legally permissible.

The school will explain the basis for any deduction in its written response.

4. Refunds after a course starts

For courses lasting three weeks or less, students should submit any request arising from dissatisfaction or a decision to withdraw as soon as possible after the course starts.

For courses lasting four weeks or longer, students should also submit cancellation requests promptly, particularly where they are still within an initial period specified in the applicable course refund terms.

The school may adopt a clearly disclosed initial cancellation period for each course. The length of that period and the refund available must be stated before enrolment and must comply with applicable law.

After that period, refunds may be limited to amounts legally due, including refunds for services not provided where required.

Non-attendance, voluntary withdrawal or failure to complete a course does not automatically entitle a student to a refund.

5. Transfers and postponements

Students may request a transfer to another available intake or suitable course.

Transfers are subject to written approval, availability and any relevant entry requirements.

Where the replacement course costs more, the student will be informed of the additional amount payable before confirming the transfer. Where it costs less, the school will explain how the difference will be treated.

Any transfer fee must be disclosed in advance and must be reasonable and legally permissible.

6. School cancellations

If the school cancels a course and no suitable alternative is accepted or available, students will receive a refund of fees paid for the cancelled course or the undelivered portion, as applicable.

If the school postpones or reschedules a course, students will be informed of the new arrangements and any applicable options.

7. Materials and additional costs

The school will take account of whether materials, equipment or other resources have already been supplied, used or purchased specifically for the student.

Any deduction for such items must be properly explained, reasonable and legally permissible.

Refund rights relating to defective goods or services remain subject to applicable law.

8. Sponsored enrolments

Where course fees have been paid by an employer, parent, bursary or other sponsor, the school will consider the payment arrangement when processing a refund.

Where appropriate and legally permissible, refunds will be made to the original payer or sponsor. Students should confirm any separate sponsorship conditions before cancelling.

9. Refund processing

The school will acknowledge refund requests and communicate its decision in writing.

Approved refunds will generally be processed within 14 business days after approval and confirmation of the required payment details, unless a different period is required by law or reasonably communicated.

Refunds will normally be made to the original payment method where practicable.

10. Statutory rights

Nothing in this policy limits a student's rights under the Consumer Protection Act 68 of 2008 or other applicable South African legislation.

Where a legal right to cancel or receive a refund applies, that right takes precedence over any conflicting provision of this policy.

Refund enquiries: info@gardenrouteskillsschool.com