Principal: Admin fee is simply not compulsory

CBS GREEN PRINCIPAL RESPONDS TO ONLINE PETITION AGAINST ADMINISTRATION FEE

TRALEE CBS, The Green, has firmly stated that the €150 ‘student contribution’ it requests from parents and guardians ahead of each school year is not compulsory and said its requests are compatible with Department of Education directives.

The school met with criticism last week on social media platforms, with parent Magda Graszk setting up a petition against the requested contribution to CBS The Green. The petition attracted some 200 signatures in the space of a week.

In a letter sent to parents in June, the school explained that, “unfortunately due to educational cutbacks it is not possible to operate the school effectively without the imposition of an administration fee”. The money covers the cost of items such as school journals, insurance, photocopying, computer licences, exam fees, workshops, and guest speakers.

The school also stated that “each student will be provided with his own locker and key on payment of €100”, adding that “locker keys will be distributed as soon as possible after payment is made”.

The points around lockers and keys have been questioned by Ms Graszk.

“I understand that voluntary contributions are important to schools and I want to support the school,” she said. “But I am concerned that people that can’t afford this won’t have lockers. I couldn’t even lift my son’s bag because his books were so heavy.”

In a statement issued this week Tralee CBS said that, “under no circumstances does non-payment of the contribution result in a child not being given a locker or being excluded from any part of the school curriculum or from recreation or activities”.

It added that the school is not unique in requesting such contributions and that a student’s place in the school and access to education programmes and services does not depend on paying the contribution.

Principal Anne O’Callaghan said the school’s letter in June requested, not demanded, a contribution.

The school has said the payment requested is entirely voluntary, and therefore legal, adding that it takes “no pleasure in having to rely on these contributions but we have no alternative...”

Ms Graszk was also told her son would be facilitated if he needs a locker, regardless of whether or not the contribution is paid.

Photo by Domnick Walsh Magda Grazsk and her Son Patryk who is a student at the CBS The Green Secondary School in Tralee . She’s running a petition against a €150 voluntary contribution requested by the school.