Smith Family says 9 out of 10 parents worried about paying for children’s education

A children’s charity supporting thousands of Tasmanian students launches its Back to School Appeal as parents fear being unable to pay for education costs. Read why the CEO is worried.

Rear-view of students raising their hands to answer the teacher's question

The children’s charity, the Smith Family, says a survey shows nine out of 10 parents and carers of students it supports fear they will not be able to afford all items their children need for school this year.

The charity helps more than 4200 Tasmanian students with its flagship Learning for Life program and partners with nearly 50 schools in the state.

CEO Doug Taylor said the annual survey highlighted the severity of education inequality and the barriers faced by children living in families experiencing poverty through no fault of their own.

“Poverty can have a profound and damaging effect on a child’s educational outcomes, with long-term consequences for their health, career and life prospects,” he said.

“It’s alarming to hear so many families are concerned about not being able to afford what children need for their learning this school year.

“I can’t say it enough – education is one of the most powerful change agents for breaking the cycle of generational poverty.”

Female student standing in the classroom and looks sad after get bad score

The biggest concern of those who responded to the survey, or 54.8 per cent, was their children missing out on digital devices needed for schoolwork, while just under half were worried about their children being unable to attend educational activities outside of school.

The survey highlighted worries about home internet access for schoolwork, affording uniforms and shoes and school excursions.

The Smith Family on Monday launches its Back to School Appeal, and is hoping to secure sponsors to support another 15,000 students nationally through the Learning for Life program, which currently helps 67,000 young people nationally.

The charity provides vital financial assistance for school essentials, access to evidence-based out-of-school learning and mentoring programs and personal support for the duration of a student’s education.

The Smith Family CEO, Doug Taylo

Mr Taylor said digital access was particularly important.

“Sponsors enable children and support families who are digitally excluded to afford necessities such as a laptop and reliable home internet connection – so necessary for education participation today,” he said.

“Unfortunately, 30 per cent of students on our Learning for Life program are digitally excluded but we aim to change this so that every student we help can have full digital access.”

The Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Commission, formerly the National Skills Commission, predicts nine out of 10 jobs by the end of 2026 will require post-secondary school qualifications.

The federal government’s Jobs and Skills Commission forecast, he said, emphasised the importance of ensuring children and young people experiencing disadvantage remain engaged with school and complete Year 12.

“With the right support at the right time, students can overcome the obstacles that disadvantage puts in their way and be justly rewarded for their efforts,” Mr Taylor said.

“The increased cost of living has certainly impacted every family budget. “But it has compounded issues that already existed for families we support.”

Smith Family support makes university possible

Without the Smith Family, Jane Duxbury may not be studying at university and fulfilling her ambition to become a teacher.

The 20-year-old says her involvement with the charity began in 2019 on a Learning for Life scholarship.

“It helped me a lot financially, as someone from a low-income household,” she says.

“My sponsors continue to make university more possible for me.

“Without my scholarship, I would be struggling to balance the expenses that come with university.

“Since year 9, my sponsors have helped myself and my family pay for educational costs.

“With more sponsors, others like me would be able to better afford their education.”

As well as financial help, Ms Duxbury said she was part of the Smith Family’s iTrack program which involved chatting weekly with a mentor online about future career paths and helped her realise she wanted to study at university.

She is currently studying a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in history and wants to go onto a

Master of Teaching.

Former Smith Family recipient Jane Duxbury is now studying teaching. Picture: Linda Higginson

Ms Duxbury said she was inspired by her teachers who “left a huge impact in my life”.

She is passionate about history and English and wants to teach secondary students.

“They were positive influences on me and helped me thrive in my education,” she said.

“I want to give back to others and become one of the influential role-models that helped me in my education when I was younger.

“The ways that they impacted my life has inspired me to pursue teaching myself.

“My secondary teachers were incredibly supportive and inspired me to do my best. I feel that their ongoing support has made a huge difference in my life.”

Studying at university, she says, is hard financially.

“Especially while I am also studying on campus, with the cost of living increasing.

“Besides accommodation, textbooks, technology and fees are the main expenses I incur, but my Learning for Life scholarship has taken the financial stress away from these things, allowing me to focus more on my studies.

“Keeping on track with content can be challenging, while also finding the time for other things.

“Finding a social circle was challenging at first, but now I have found my group, who I am incredibly grateful for.”

Originally published as Smith Family says 9 out of 10 parents worried about paying for children’s education