Take our survey on the P&C and funding for your local school

We want to hear from you on the issues which impact your school and what areas need more funding as well as your input on the future direction of the P&C.

INFIGHTING has put the future of the NSW Federation of Parents and Citizens Association peak body under a dark cloud.

The NSW Government is withholding the organisation’s annual $380,000 grant, stating reform was urgently needed.

“P&Cs do great work in our schools but their governing body is currently paralysed by infighting. The Government is considering options to address this to ensure that the efforts of parents are well supported by the Federation of P&Cs,” Education Minister Adrian Piccoli said.

But while the government has taken a stand, the voices of the hundreds of thousands of parents who send their children to state schools have yet to be heard.

We want to give you the opportunity to have your say on the future of the P&C Federation in our online poll.

We also want to hear about the issues that matter in your school, and the important work your local P&C is doing to meet funding shortfalls.

The P&C Federation may seem removed from your local school, but one of the key reasons it exists is to provide essential support in areas such as public liability insurance to its 1850 affiliate P&Cs as well as give a voice for parents on a range of topics and groups within the Department of Education.

P&C spokeswoman Rachel Sowden said the organisation was aware it needed to change its constitution and give more control and a voice to the school based P&Cs.

“The ability to speak out against the government of the day if necessary and also to maintain level of autonomy from the department of education is paramount,” Ms Sowden said.

Across the state, P&Cs raise the equivalent of $54 million each year.

Parents and friends organise sausage sizzles, the school canteen, social nights and otehr events to raise money for whatever the school needs which can range from toilet paper and text books to airconditioners and even school buses.