Families are being hit by high educations costs

Parents are feeling burdened over the financial stress of school fees, with high costs the biggest barrier to choosing their preferred school for their kids according to a national report out today.

PARENTS are feeling burdened over the financial stress of school fees, with high costs the biggest barrier to choosing their preferred school for their kids according to a national report out today.

The Australian Scholarships Group (ASG) Parents Report Card found four out of five Aussie households with an annual income of up to $87,000 reported feeling a financial pinch over school fees, as did more than half of those on incomes above $180,000.

ASG Director of Policy and Advocacy Wahdiah Hopper said the survey of more than 2260 parents and carers found those with kids at both government and non-government schools said they felt pressure with regards to school costs.

Lisa Kirk has chosen to send her children to a public school. Picture: Peter Wallis

A parent with a child beginning prep at a government school in metropolitan Queensland this year can expect to spend an average of $75,601 by the time they complete Year 12, the report found. That rises to $113,211 for a Catholic school, and $209,608 for an independent school.

Parents also cited as school fees along with waiting lists as being the biggest barrier to enrolling their child in their preferred school.

“Leaders and educators need to be sensitive to the costs associated with education and the burden it could put on Aussie families who are already challenged by the rising costs of living,” Ms Hopper said.

“It’s not just school fees and parents contributions. Devices, musical instruments and sporting equipment all adds to the costs of kids attending school.”

Independent Schools Queensland executive director David Robertson said schools and their boards were “very conscious” of tuition levels, and ensuring they remain affordable for their communities.

“Independent schools are in reach of more families than reports like those produced by the ASG would lead parents to believe,” Mr Robertson said.

“Many parents make significant sacrifices to exercise their right to school choice and to invest in their child’s education.

“The best test of the sector’s affordability is its enrolment levels — these have been increasing, which shows parents are willing to invest in the education of their children.”

Capalaba mum of four Lisa Kirk, who works as a teacher’s aid, said she opted to send her kids to public school and had no regrets.

She said her husband and herself both worked and still found private school would be too expensive.

“It doesn’t fit into the budget,” Ms Kirk said. “The public system is serving us quite well,”

Ms Hopper said the report also found some positive outcomes, including that 78 per cent of parents were satisfied or very satisfied with their child’s academic progress.

“The real value is that we’re giving parents a voice, and parents are a very important partner in regards to education,” she said.

“On the whole, it’s good news, and parents are generally very happy and satisfied with the schools.”