1563 schools swap donations for cash
Over 1500 schools will not ask parents for donations next year after a huge majority of eligible schools signed up to a Government scheme to scrap them.
Close to nine in 10 (89.6 per cent) of eligible schools have decided to scrap school donations in favour of a guaranteed $150 per pupil payment from the Government next year.
The opt-in scheme only applies to two-thirds of schools, as schools in the richest three deciles are not currently eligible.
Schools which opt in pledge not to ask for school donations, other than for one specific circumstance – an overnight camp. This donation cannot be made mandatory, however.
More than 416,000 students across 1563 schools will be covered by the scheme.
There are about 2500 schools across New Zealand and over 800,000 students – so more than half of students in total would be covered.
Lower decile schools were generally more likely to opt in to the scheme, with 93.9 per cent of decile 1 schools opting in compared with 78.7 per cent of decile 7 schools.
Schools in Southland and the Bay of Plenty were the least likely to sign up, while schools in Northland were the most likely.
There was considerable consternation after only a third of eligible schools had signed up in early October.
But by the deadline on November 14 far more schools had signed on. About $62.5 million of Government money will be sent to schools as part of the scheme next year.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said he was very pleased the scheme had such a high rate of sign-up.
‘‘It is a win for schools and families. Students will get to enjoy the benefits of the additional funding without families feeling under pressure to find the money within their own household budget,’’ Hipkins said.
‘‘From Tai Tokerau to Southland the scheme has been recognised by almost 90 per cent of eligible schools nationwide as an opportunity to secure more funding for the things they want to do more of, whether that is additional sporting equipment, technology, school trips or something specific to that community. ‘‘The donations scheme is an annual opt-in process which means the schools that chose not to opt in may choose to do so in a subsequent year.’’
Some principals have criticised the scheme, particularly those in decile 8, 9 and 10 schools which are unable to use it.
Lynmore School was the only school in Rotorua above the decile cut-off, which meant it would have a hard time charging a donation, principal Lorraine Taylor told Stuff.
She was considering cancelling school camps as new guidelines had made it clear that charging for these was against the law.
National Party education spokeswoman MP Nikki Kaye has attacked the donations scheme as ‘‘inequitable’’ for not allowing higher decile schools in.