"In an ideal world education would be free but it isn't ... the situation is parents have a choice to pay or not. For many years we have been paying [to sit] external examinations."
For those who find the fees too much to fit into the budget, parents could apply for a subsidy, said Mr Schwass, who encouraged them to do so.
"They have an opportunity to have it reduced. There is financial assistance available. The avenue is there, let's get it used," he said.
If approved, parents pay $20 for one student to sit the exams or $30 for two or more students from the same family.
His school reminds families through the year that the fees are due and must be paid.
Kuranui College principal Geoff Shepherd said he was disappointed to hear so many students were missing out on receiving their record of achievement for not paying.
He said it shouldn't be so hard for Kiwi children to receive an education in this country.
"In an ideal world I think they shouldn't be paying fees but it's clearly not free ... they have to pay if they want to access the results," he said.
"NZQA will say it costs the country to run exams but it should be free. If there is genuine hardship there is help ... but sadly some parents don't get around to applying or paying."
His school also encourages parents to apply for the subsidy.
"It's their own child's education. They want the formal result ... there needs to be a fairer way though."
Mr Shepherd said parents who can't afford to pay need to discuss it with their schools.
NZQA deputy chief executive of assessment Richard Thornton said NCEA was an important qualification students needed to be able to access.
"[It] demonstrates their skills, knowledge and training, it is important that people who have gained NCEA are able to make use of their qualification."
Every year, NZQA "pro-actively alerts" students with outstanding unpaid fees as they must have paid the fees to have their results recorded on their Record of Achievement, Mr Thornton said.
Fees must be paid by December 1, or late fees apply.
