Mallard rejects claims 'donations' essential to run schools

1.00pm

Education Minister Trevor Mallard has rejected claims "donations" are essential to run schools, saying the Government provides adequate finances and will continue to do so.

He said yesterday school fees were for "extras" and were not compulsory.

However, Hamilton's Fraser High School principal Martin Elliott remains defiant, accusing the Government of providing "Third World" funding to schools.

It was revealed yesterday that parents were working at Fraser High School to pay off their children's donations. Parents mow lawns, paint buildings or do administration work in return for payment of the fees.

But Mr Mallard said the Government provided schools with resources such as operations grants, extra staffing and technology support, so school "donations" and fund-raising could go toward extras.

Mr Elliott challenged Mr Mallard's claims.

"If he (Mallard) can get five Waikato principals to agree their school fees are not really needed, that their operations grant matches the needs of their school and community, I will bow very humbly and to his (Mallard's) wisdom," Mr Elliott said.

"I have never encountered anywhere that can provide a first world, not a Third World education for their kids (on the funds schools get from the Government)."

Two other Waikato schools said "donations" was hugely important and they would struggle without them.

Morrinsville College principal John Inger said school fees were not for extras. They were to make ends meet.

Schools ask parents to pay a donation which covers copyright and photocopying costs, subject fees and student services such as ID cards, school diaries and yearbooks. Schools cannot legally make parents pay a fee.

Mr Mallard said it had to be made clear donations were donations.

"The Government has agreed to put an extra $200 million a year into staffing over and above the entitlements by way of (school) roll growth."

- NZPA