Top NT private schools to consider waiving fees to help struggling families
DARWIN’S leading private schools will consider waiving fees for struggling parents as non-government schools interstate begin providing financial relief.
Education
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DARWIN’S leading private schools will consider waiving fees for struggling parents as non-government schools interstate begin providing financial relief.
On Saturday the National Catholic Education Commission announced it would give relief for families facing financial hardship due to the coronavirus pandemic, giving aid to the families of almost 800,000 students nationally.
Essington International School Darwin principal Brian Kennelly said the school would consider financial relief for families if the need arose.
“We haven’t got any data at the moment to suggest we need to do that, however as time evolves, we don’t know how many families may have lost their business or have lost the capacity to pay, and at the moment all we’re dealing is on an individual basis,” he said.
“There’s been very few parents who’ve had contact with us with that issue or problem.
“We are aware that it could evolve, so we have some possible scenarios in place that will enable us to continue to operate.”
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Mr Kennelly said aside from waiving fees, the school was preparing for any financial or other troubles it may face.
“We’ve looked at many models, where we’re going to go and how long we’re going for, and all of those models have been certainly discussed with the board, and we’ve put nothing out to parents at this stage,” he said.
“However, it would be remiss of us not to look at all the different scenarios that may evolve, and no one knows what that might be so we have got probably upwards of four or five different scenarios and plans for the school which includes financial modelling, and modelling for learning.
“We’re looking at all case scenarios, as days and weeks unfold we know where we’re going.”
A spokeswoman for Haileybury Rendall School said it would be releasing information on fees to parents this week.
Both schools are well underway for external learning in term two, should schools close.
“Effectively we are aiming to shift to an online learning model with minimal disruption to the students’ learning,” the spokeswoman said.
“We greatly appreciate the support of our community during this time.”
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Mr Kennelly said Monday was the last day of term for Essington students, with the remainder of the week to prepare teachers for online learning.
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