Under- 5s pay to go to school
An Auckland primary school is asking parents of pre- schoolers to fork out up to $ 100 for a transition- to- school programme.
Owairoa Primary School in East Auckland runs “Super Start”, an optional programme which prepares children under 5 for school life and teaches curriculum basics such as reading, oral language and number skills. The school recommends children attend five to 10 of the two- hour $ 10 sessions.
The Education Ministry said last night that the programme was “extremely unusual” but wasn’t in breach of laws providing for a free education.
But Lynda Stuart, an executive member of primary teachers’ union NZEI, feared parents might feel they had to pay for it.
“It sounds like a form of fundraising, but it risks falling into obligatory payment territory if parents are given the impression that the programme is necessary for their child to have the best possible start to school.”
Stuart hadn’t heard of any other school charging for a transition programme.
“The programme sounds great, but it’s the sort of introduction to school that most schools offer nearlyfives free of charge.”
Owairoa Primary School principal Alan McIntyre said Super Start, which has been running for more than a decade, had been extremely successful.
“It’s quite clear kids who have been through the programme have a great start to school.
“They get to meet other kids, look around the school and get an idea of what school will be like.”
If a family wasn’t able to pay the fees, they wouldn’t be turned away.
About 60 to 80 per cent of new entrants completed the scheme. Owairoa also offers free pre- school visits.
New Zealand School Trustees Association president Lorraine Kerr believed the programme was a great initiative.
Eight months ago the Weekend Herald revealed Auckland Grammar and Cornwall Park District School were ordered by the Ministry of Education to stop asking parents to pay for the right to enter their children in out- of- zone ballots. It was later revealed Mt Albert Grammar, Epsom Girls Grammar and St Mary’s College also charged for out- of- zone ballots.