Mallard 'unrealistic' over fees

Education Minister Trevor Mallard's condemnation of state schools demanding fee donations from parents has hit a sour note with a Nelson principal.

Nelson College for Girls head Alison McAlpine is facing a $120,000 shortage from parents not paying school fees.

The "myth" that education was free must be dispelled, she said.

Responding to questions in Parliament, Mr Mallard said he condemned the practice of some schools demanding payment of voluntary fees. "I will work with the ministry to instruct the schools of their rights."

He rejected claims that schools relied on fees. "They do not mostly rely on local or parental funds ... Staffing and property costs are way above that," he said.

Schools could require parents to pay for materials used in their children's education, or for direct costs such as trips.

They could ask for donations, but they could not demand payment, his spokeswoman said.

Those laws did not apply to private or integrated schools.

But Mrs McAlpine said Mr Mallard was being unrealistic.

"He simply hasn't got his feet on the ground."

Her college relied on fees and donations for about 20 per cent of its annual operating costs.

It would have to raise more this year to make up the $120,000 shortage, and this took time and energy away from the school's core function of curriculum delivery.

"There's a myth out there that education is free, and that is not true and hasn't been for a long time."

Mrs McAlpine said although some fees were voluntary donations, others were compulsory to cover the costs of expensive subjects with "take-home components" such as photography and media studies.

An average student was asked to pay between $500 and $600 a year in fees and donations.

The percentage of families who paid their fees had dropped from 70 per cent last year to 64 per cent this year.


"We factor into our budget the anticipated response to student fees."

But Nelson College principal Salvi Gargiulo said despite almost doubling the voluntary donation it asked of parents, the number of families who paid voluntary fees had not dropped this year.

About 75 to 80 per cent of families contributed $185,000, up from $110,000 the previous year, he said.

"We're above what we budgeted for."

Although the state financed a "very basic education", voluntary donations were essential to boost revenue, pay for lower classroom ratios and provide a wider range of school activities, he said.

Nayland College principal Charles Newton said 60 per cent of parents paid school fees this year.

Schools were "absolutely entitled" to ask parents for donations, and to remind them that the money helped pay for extras.

He accused Mr Mallard of political game-playing.

- NZPA