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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 03 Hansard (Wednesday, 10 March 2004) . . Page.. 944 ..

It goes on:

Students should not be pressured to approach their parents to make a financial contribution.

Students have the right to make curriculum choices irrespective of whether their parents choose to make voluntary financial contributions to the school.

Government schools provide a broad general learning program for all students which includes the provision of basic materials for formal course requirements.

So that is the policy which guides school practices in relation to voluntary contributions. I can understand some members’ concerns for those families on low incomes, and the government shares those concerns. But the government wants to assure members that free education is a core feature of ACT government school education. This is reflected in our legislation and in our policies, which make it clear there is no basis for compulsory fees and charges. At the same time, voluntary contributions and support from parents and the community through fundraising are a longstanding and valued feature of our system and are certainly encouraged where parents have the capacity to make them.

Schools in the ACT are receptive to the needs of families in their community and work closely with parents and carers to ensure that all students have equal access to educational activities such as camps and excursions. Family involvement in education is important to a student’s academic success. Principals of schools with a concentration of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds are sensitive to the needs of students and their families. The schools as communities program is one initiative that is supporting the partnership between families and schools. Where families do seek assistance in the support of their children, school principals and staff seek to ensure that confidentiality and dignity are maintained. Further, school boards, which have a key role in the governance of government schools, are consulted over the rationale and costing of more expensive excursions, including overseas excursions, and parents have input into this process.

In certain circumstances ACT schools conduct fundraising activities to support student involvement in school programs and experiences. Where an issue of financial difficulty has come to the attention of the school, the principal will work with parents to develop a mutually acceptable solution to the problem. Schools in the ACT, through school based management, receive substantial funding. Principals have discretion as to the use of that money in the best possible way to support students in need to access educational programs. Available funds are not held centrally, as they are more effectively placed at the school level. However, the government is willing to indicate today our willingness to investigate the need for a central fund. The school community is best placed to understand and support those families and carers who are unable to contribute voluntarily.

Carers and parents need not be recipients of a Centrelink or other allowance to find paying a voluntary contribution difficult. These circumstances are best assessed by those educating their children, and working with the parents. The whole rationale behind providing the funding to the schools themselves is for them to determine how best that funding is allocated, and to allow schools to adapt to local environments and to respond

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