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NLIS 3 May 30, 2006 (Education) School fees information outlined in brochure Educators, parents and the public now have access to a school fees brochure which outlines key elements of government�s commitment to reduce the educational costs traditionally borne by parents. "In the 2006-07 school year, government will spend $6.3 million to increase instructional grants for schools and to cover the cost of prescribed workbooks and other consumable materials previously charged to parents," said Education Minister Joan Burke. "This funding will substantially reduce the financial burden on families each September and remove the burden on school staff to collect school fees." "We recognize there are questions about specific items or services covered through this initiative � and those which are not," Minister Burke said. "For that reason, the Department of Education has developed this brochure and principals have been asked to distribute this information throughout their school communities." The brochure notes parents will still be required to purchase textbooks for Grades 9-12, however all workbooks used in classrooms throughout K-12 will now be covered. Similarly, parents may still receive a list of basic school supplies they are expected to purchase for their child prior to September � however there will be no fees charged for the vast majority of programming materials provided by the school. Of the $6.3 million investment announced in Budget 2006, $5.3 million has been earmarked to increase per-pupil instructional grants from $80 to $150, while an additional $1 million will cover consumable materials, such as workbooks required to complete the French, math and music curriculum. Minister Burke said that as of September 2006, parents/guardians will no longer be charged for items commonly referred to as "school materials" (e.g., student agendas, locks and lockers, accident insurance), or for "course materials" (e.g., workbooks, photocopied resources, exam paper or materials required for prescribed art, technology or industrial arts programs). In addition, parents will not be charged for optional materials chosen by individual teachers or schools to enhance the prescribed curriculum. The cost of any such materials must be absorbed through the school�s new, substantially increased budget. "I cannot overstate the importance of the fact that this is guaranteed funding for schools," Minister Burke said. "In the past, some administrators could not depend on revenue from school fees, as they experienced difficulty collecting the full amount due. Now they will know exactly how much money is available each year, and can budget accordingly." Minister Burke noted this initiative is consistent with government�s commitment to promoting educational equity throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and to reducing the effects of poverty. The brochure can be viewed at the Department of Education web site at //www.gov.nl.ca/edu/pub/school-fees-brochure.pdf. Media contact: Jacquelyn Howard, Communications, (709) 729-0048, 689-2624 BACKGROUNDER In school year 2006-07, consumable items traditionally purchased by schools/school boards and charged back to parents will be covered through increased instructional grants provided by government for schools. In the past, boards received an instructional grant of between $7,500 and $9,500 per school (depending on total enrolment) and $80 per pupil. This initiative maintains the grant based on total enrolment, and increases the per-pupil amount to $150. An additional investment of $1M has been allocated for consumable materials (e.g., K-12 workbooks, recorders, novels for K-8) required by the Department of Education to participate fully in the prescribed curriculum. Items covered Essentially,
"consumable" items purchased by schools/school boards for students
will be covered. These include, but are not limited to: School materials such as student agendas,
locks and lockers, school calendars, photocopying, handbooks,
accident insurance, student IDs, administrative/library
software, internet/e-mail access, etc; Course materials (prescribed and "preferred") associated with the prescribed curriculum such as workbooks, photocopied resources, exam paper, computer paper, CDs, disks, magazine/newspaper subscriptions, scrapbooks, along with supplies associated with classroom-based work in music, art, technology, language arts, science, home economics, industrial arts; novels at K-8; and, Fees for participation in band and choir. Items not covered* Basic schools supplies parents have always been expected to provide their children, such as pencils, pens, paper, exercise books, folders, markers, crayons, glue, scissors, geometry sets, calculators, book bags, pencil cases, and gym clothing; Textbooks for Grade 9 to Level III (prescribed workbooks will be covered); Costs associated with enrichment programs and materials required for local courses which are not prescribed by the Department of Education (e.g., local courses in aquaculture, musical theatre, photography, web design, or Workplace Health and Safety); Travel associated with co-curricular/extra-curricular activities, field trips; Pizza days, book fairs, etc. (The nature and frequency of these activities is determined at the school level.) School clothing, graduation ceremonies, school rings, school photos, etc., Rental of musical instruments. Voluntary fundraising activities, approved by the school council (as required by legislation), for a specific purpose - such as student travel, sports uniforms, playground equipment, etc. *Note: Where items/services are not specifically covered by this investment, but can be absorbed into a school�s increased instructional budget, parents should not be charged. At a Glance What is covered: What is not covered: 2006 05 30 9:05 a.m. |
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