We have just moved house with our family, involving a new primary school. We were all prepared for some differences, but the biggest shock has been the voluntary contributions, which appear anything but voluntary and are sent in the form of a bill that looks like a final reminder from the ESB.
Before enrolling our children we visited the school, met the principal, attended the open day. It appeared to be a happy and friendly national school, with no special conditions.
No mention was ever made of school fees or mandatory contributions. We are well aware of the shortfall of funding in the primary-school sector and were accustomed to regular fundraising. The last school also had a system of voluntary contributions, whereby parents were asked – once – if they would like to make an anonymous and voluntary donation, according to their means. A suggestion of €100 per family was made, with many paying less. We were happy to make a donation and felt goodwill towards the school.
In the new school, however, the letter stated that the board of management was now requesting that we pay over €800 for our family, to be divided among various categories, such as maintenance, management, parents’ association, school supplies and extra teachers. The extra teachers are to teach two core curriculum subjects during school hours that the teachers employed in the school feel ill-equipped to teach.
My frustration lies not only in the very substantial amount we are being asked to pay at a very busy and expensive time of year but also in the tone and attitude in the letter. It also includes a tax rebate form and says that everyone must fill it in – again assuming that everyone is employed.
I feel the school was presented to us under false pretences. No mention was ever made of fees, and it is supposed to be a public national school. There appears to be a cosy consensus among existing parents, and as new parents we are afraid of rocking the boat. The letter made no reference to the fact that such payments are voluntary and repeated a few times that payment should be made immediately.
I am worried now what will happen if we don’t pay, or challenge it, and whether this will make it difficult to integrate into this new school community. I have a particular difficulty with being asked to pay for extra teachers for core curriculum areas. I know that the National Parents’ Council advises parents to ignore such letters, but one parent in the yard commented recently that if people refuse to pay, then the whole school and the children suffer.
It is difficult also to raise the issue with other parents, as many seem defensive of the system and the school. We are not completely unable to make some donation, but do not feel much goodwill towards the school now and feel very pressurised.
Submissions welcome to education@irishtimes.com
