❓ Hon Sue Ellery raises concerns about students being denied course choices due to unpaid voluntary school fees, particularly affecting those receiving secondary assistance. The Minister acknowledges the issue and commits to investigating its prevalence and potential solutions.
AnsweredQoN 866Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
VOLUNTARY
SCHOOL FEES
866. Hon SUE ELLERY to the
Minister for Education:
(1) Is the
minister aware of a growing number of students being denied full choice of
courses in years 11 and 12 because their families' financial situation
means that they are behind in their voluntary school fees, and that schools
have advised families that their children cannot exercise the full choice of
courses until the fees are paid?
(2) Will the
minister undertake to advise the house on how widespread this is now?
SCHOOL FEES
866. Hon SUE ELLERY to the
Minister for Education:
(1) Is the
minister aware of a growing number of students being denied full choice of
courses in years 11 and 12 because their families' financial situation
means that they are behind in their voluntary school fees, and that schools
have advised families that their children cannot exercise the full choice of
courses until the fees are paid?
(2) Will the
minister undertake to advise the house on how widespread this is now?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for the question.
(1)–(2)
I think we are talking particularly about those students who are entitled to
and do receive the secondary assistance allowance, and that is around $235. For
those students who come from financial hardship or have difficulties, those
funds have been from the previous Labor government and from our government paid
exclusively to the school as school fees. If the student wants to take on other
options, particularly at the senior secondary level, they are somewhat limited
because they do have to pay for those options, and that has caused considerable
financial hardship to some students. The Leader of the Opposition made me aware
of one case, and we looked into that. I have since been made aware that there
is a growing phenomenon, which concerns me. I will undertake to discuss this
with the Department of Education to see whether it is a growing phenomenon. If
more and more students are being captured by this situation, I will see whether
we can assist them even further. Having said that, we try to make allowances
for those students who cannot pay through payment plans et cetera, but if
something is going on above and beyond the stresses that students face, I will
certainly address it with the department.
(1)–(2)
I think we are talking particularly about those students who are entitled to
and do receive the secondary assistance allowance, and that is around $235. For
those students who come from financial hardship or have difficulties, those
funds have been from the previous Labor government and from our government paid
exclusively to the school as school fees. If the student wants to take on other
options, particularly at the senior secondary level, they are somewhat limited
because they do have to pay for those options, and that has caused considerable
financial hardship to some students. The Leader of the Opposition made me aware
of one case, and we looked into that. I have since been made aware that there
is a growing phenomenon, which concerns me. I will undertake to discuss this
with the Department of Education to see whether it is a growing phenomenon. If
more and more students are being captured by this situation, I will see whether
we can assist them even further. Having said that, we try to make allowances
for those students who cannot pay through payment plans et cetera, but if
something is going on above and beyond the stresses that students face, I will
certainly address it with the department.
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