Public schools raising fees as inflation, cost of living takes its toll

Public schools have joined the state’s elite private colleges in significantly bumping up fees, with several proposals for next year well above government recommendations.

Some SA public schools are proposing fee hikes of more than $200 above the government’s recommended figures as inflation takes its toll on the education sector.

Schools must survey their parent community and receive more than 50 per cent support from respondents to enact the increase.

The legislated amount next year is capped at $287 for primary schools and $379 for high schools.

However, parents at Oakbank Area School are currently being asked to accept a $630 materials and services fee, up from $580 in 2023 – an 8.6 per cent increase.

Last month, parents at Reynella East College said no to a proposed $615 fee for Year 11 & 12 students.

In 2023, only about 50 per cent of public schools charged the prescribed amount or less.

SA Primary Principals Association president Tobias O’Connor told The Advertiser he knew of at least three other inner-suburban Adelaide schools that also proposed fee hikes to parents.

Mr O’Connor said the materials and services fee was “a small drop in the school’s total budget yet funds important resources for our learners”.

“That said, increases with inflation across the board and the cost of supplying and maintaining laptops and other digital devices for students to use are contributing to schools’ budgets feeling the pinch,” he said.

Mr O’Connor said some schools may choose to ask for an optional fee even if it was knocked back at the polls.

“Many families see the value their local school offers and pay the voluntary fee, and some request not to. It becomes a parent’s choice.”

SA Secondary Principals Association chief executive Jayne Heath said school administrators were faced with a difficult decision.

SA Secondary Principals Association chief executive Jayne Heath. Picture: AAP/Keryn Stevens

SA Education Minister Blair Boyer. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Morgan Sette

“What I understand now is that governing councils are very mindful of the pressure on families in their school community, so they are most definitely giving that consideration,” Ms Heath said.

“I know at some schools, principals went into governing council meetings thinking they would need to increase fees but the advice has been not to because they are conscious of this.

“It really depends on the school’s context and the school community, but you don’t take that decision lightly.”

Education Minister Blair Boyer said the government’s $100 rebate had saved parents $36m over the past three years but did not comment whether it would be increased next year.

Mr Boyer said families earning less than $70,994 dollars could have the fee waived if they applied for a School Card.