Private schools to offer temporary reductions or delay payments to parents who lose jobs

Brisbane private schools are rallying around families smashed by the economic impacts of coronavirus, with range of measures to stem dropouts and assist parents struggling to pay fees after losing their jobs. HERE’S WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE AFFECTED.

THE financial blow parents are facing with widespread job losses and economic crisis coronavirus has independent and catholic schools bracing for dropouts with families struggling to pay fees.

What Australians are asking about COVID-19

New Queensland coronavirus hotspot emerging

Coronavirus: PM unveils $130bn jobs package, $1500 JobKeeper payment for workers

Tighter border controls flagged as 33 new coronavirus cases announced

All Hallows’ School principal Mrs Catherine O’Kane said understanding the impact of COVID-19, families facing serious financial distress may be offered a concession or temporary reduction in school fees depending upon individual circumstances.

“For families encountering temporary job losses or business disruption, we can offer delayed payment plan arrangements,” she said.

St Joseph’s College Nudgee principal Peter Fullager. Picture: Peter Cronin

“Our school will work in partnership to support families who may be impacted by unexpected job loss, extended periods of unpaid leave and pressures on the revenue of small medium businesses.”

St Joseph’s College Nudgee principal Peter Fullager said he was acutely aware of the hardships being experienced across the community and that families were worried about their capacity to meet school fees as a result of COVID-19.

“As a Catholic school in the Edmund Rice tradition, and in accordance with the mission, values and ethos of our College, we remain committed to providing an education to all our students regardless of their financial circumstances,” he said.

“We will do all we can to facilitate the ongoing education of all students; no child will be denied ongoing enrolment due to inability or reduced capacity to pay school fees and costs.”

St Margaret's principal Ros Curtis. Picture: Peter Cronin

Meanwhile St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School has launched “Team St Margaret’s” calling on the school community to band together to help out other parents.

“This bursarial fund has been kickstarted by a generous donation from the St Margaret’s P & F and will be further supported by the St Margaret’s Foundation,” Principal Ros Curtis said.

“The school will maintain an open dialogue with any members in our community who have been impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and respond to each on a case-by-case basis, with the aim of keeping as many children enrolled in the school as is financially possible to continue their education.”

The Independent Education Union last night said they had reports a small number of independent schools were considering standing down support staff without pay in Term 2 because of COVID-19.

“In light of the government’s recently announced job-keeper wage-subsidy payments, there is no reason to stand support staff down,” Queensland branch secretary Terry Burke said.

“Non government schools are still in receipt of same funding as they have had from the beginning of the year so there is in our view no need for staff reductions and the issue of fee receipts for term 2 is a matter yet to be considered.

“Our union will be seeking discussions with the federal minister regarding support funding.”

Independent Schools Queensland executive director David Robertson.

He said if parents were struggling to pay fees the student should be able to stay in the same school they’re enrolled in.

“The issue of financial support to schools is a matter that needs to be assessed in terms of future fee receipts, but for many schools, government funding of catholic schools is over 90 per cent of operations,” he said.

Independent Schools Queensland executive director David Robertson said schools were facing extraordinary pressure on a number of fronts, including providing dual school-based and home-based learning and supporting families that have lost their jobs.

“The majority of independent schools rely heavily on financial contributions parents make through fees to operate and pay their staff,” he said.

“We anticipate many independent schools will come under increasing financial pressure as the economic fallout from this public health crisis deepens over the coming months and will be working with governments on the way forward.”

Queensland Catholic Education Commission executive director Dr Lee-Anne Perry.

Queensland Catholic Education Commission’s executive director Dr Lee-Anne Perry urged struggling families to come forward.

“Catholic schools are acutely aware of the hardships being experienced right across the community and are doing all they can to facilitate the ongoing education of all students,” Dr Perry said.

PMSA chief executive officer Sharon Callister said the schools including Somerville House, Clayfield College and Brisbane Boys’ College understood the potential financial impact coronavirus may have on families’ ability to pay fees and were working on ways to assist families in need.

A Villanova College spokeswoman said that school was committed to supporting all families and there were numerous options available, with those experiencing difficulties to reach out.

Originally published as Private schools to offer temporary reductions or delay payments to parents who lose jobs