16/2/02
At the end of the second week of school, Education Minister Alan Carpenter has emphasised to parents the importance of paying their children's Government school contributions.
Mr Carpenter said early indications were that up to 20 per cent of parents had heeded Deputy Opposition Leader Dan Sullivan's irresponsible statement that they would have to have rocks in their heads to pay the non-compulsory contributions in Years 8 - 10.
"However, it will take some time to know accurately how many parents are paying the contributions," the Minister said.
"Fortunately, the majority of parents have shown far more responsibility than Mr Sullivan, who did his best to undermine our public education system by advocating that parents stop paying the contributions."
The Government fulfilled a commitment by making contributions for Years 8 - 10 in Government schools voluntary.
"Most parents have shown they appreciate that the contributions add to the quality of education that can be offered to their children," Mr Carpenter said.
"The former Coalition Government - of which Mr Sullivan was part - introduced compulsory fees in Years 8 - 10 in 2001, which meant parents could have had their household goods confiscated by a court to pay the fees.
"Fortunately, this policy was only introduced during the Coalition's last year in Government and was never enforced, so the Labor Government is only returning to the system that had existed for years."
The contributions in Year 8 - 10 are up to $235 a year for each student, while charges in Years 11 and 12 are set by the individual school.
Mr Carpenter said he was concerned that some parents had assumed charges for Year 11 and 12 students were also voluntary.
"School charges for Years 11 and 12 are still compulsory and should be paid," he said.
"Contributions for primary school students - that are up to $60 a year - remain voluntary.
"Parents having difficulties paying school contributions and charges should discuss their situation with their principal as payment can be spread out over the year.
"To help low-income parents with secondary students up to the age of 16, last year the Government increased the allowance for parents with a Health Care, Pensioner Concession Card or Veteran's Affairs Pensioner Concession Card to $215 a year.
"This covers most of the cost of school contributions and charges and all eligible parents should apply for the allowance. Eligible parents are also entitled to a $115 clothing allowance for each student."
Mr Carpenter said the Government had dealt with the school contribution issue in a fair and equitable way.
Items included in the school contributions varied from school to school but generally covered the cost of materials and services directly used by students, including the cost of hiring textbooks.
"However, the payment does not include optional activities such as school excursions, certain optional units, camps and social activities or personal items students use at school such as pens, school uniforms and photocopying," the Minister said.
"The Government meets the cost of school buildings, administration, salaries, some material used in class, services and facilities.
"It pays about $8,000 a year for the cost of educating each Government primary school student and $10,500 for each secondary school student."
Mr Carpenter said the department would closely monitor the payment of contributions and charges throughout the year and urged school administrators to make every effort to encourage parents to pay.
"It is important for schools and parents to work together on this issue, as there are only limited funds to compensate schools for contributions and charges not collected," he said.
Minister's office: 9213 6800
