School costs hurt families

Education burden battle

CRIPPLING education costs are stretching families to the limit, with some relying on food vouchers and loans to keep children in school.

A St Vincent de Paul Society report reveals parents are increasingly turning to charities to pay for books, uniforms and technology.

Others are struggling to pool cash for food, rent, car registration and other basics once education expenses are covered.

The Back To School — The Real Cost research outlines how some Victorian families are: RELYING on donated uniforms to keep children warm in winter. TAKING out loans to cope with bills at the start of the school year. LETTING teenage students skip class and sit at home. NEEDING help with food, utilities, phone, transport and medicine bills because education costs have drained their budget.

Support for uniforms, text books, school fees, laptops, iPads, calculators and camps was in highest demand.

“This is something very concerning for us, and we plan to monitor it more extensively,” Vinnies policy and research manager Gavin Dufty said. “In some cases we have provided disadvantaged families with several thousands of dollars of support over a period of time when there are several children involved.

“It seems the transition years from primary to secondary school, and moving to VCE, are the toughest.”

Mr Dufty said many schools now required students to have their own laptop or iPad for use in class and for homework, adding to the financial burden.

He said the scrapped federal Schoolkids Bonus and Victorian Education Maintenance Allowance should be reinstated.

Assistance was still provided through Victoria’s Camps, Sports and Excursions Fund, and for uniforms via the State Schools’ Relief scheme.

But Mr Dufty said this was inadequate, as not all households in financial stress qualified.

Vinnies surveyed its Victorian volunteers about requests for help with education expenses from December last year to June this year.

Education-related assistance worth more than $296,000 was arranged over six months.

“It seems the transition years from primary to secondary school, and moving to VCE, are the toughest.” VINNIES POLICY AND RESEARCH MANAGER GAVIN DUFTY