Principals like funds trade idea

A school donations election promise has Manawatu principals approval. Among Labour’s 2017 election promises for education is a pledge to offer schools a trade – if the school does not ask parents for voluntary donations they receive an extra $150 funding per child.

For most schools the deal would leave them better off, leading Labour to confidently tout its policy as the end to voluntary donations for many parents.

Ross Intermediate School principal Wayne Jenkins said the idea was ‘‘the most sensible thing I have read in education policy for a long time’’.

It would free up staff time previously spent administering donations, give schools more funds and leave families with one less financial drain.

‘‘As a school, we receive around $30,000 in donations from families.

‘‘This would give us $75,000, and even better, would keep $30,000 of funds in our families’ pockets.’’

Palmerston North’s Awapuni Primary School principal Stephen Soutar said they would be quick to say yes.

‘‘We only have a $30 donation... less than half the parents paid. One-hundred-and-fifty dollars per child from the Government would make a drastic difference.’’

Labour estimates schools with about 450,000 pupils in total could opt in, costing about $70 million a year.