Page 1340 - Week 07 - Thursday, 24 August 1989
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MS FOLLETT: Mr Speaker, I do not regard the statements that I have seen in the newspaper recently as falling outside the guidelines as I am aware of them, but I am certainly willing to look into that matter and just clarify whether there is any matter that I need to follow up with the senior public servants. I am not aware that there is one.
High School Fee
MR DUBY: Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to ask this question which I know is of great importance to you. The question is directed to the Minister for Industry, Employment and Education. It concerns the $60 non-compulsory fee for high school students. Is the Minister aware that in some cases high school children whose parents are unable at the moment to afford, or for other reasons have not paid, the $60 so-called non-compulsory fee are being penalised? For example, my understanding is that there is to be an inter-schools sports carnival in Parkes, New South Wales, and that several ACT high school students have been nominated to attend to represent their school but that those same students will not be permitted to take the trip unless the non-compulsory $60 fee is paid.
Is the Minister aware of this? If not, will he make inquiries and advise the Assembly as to what is the correct and proper interpretation to be placed by educational authorities on the $60 non-compulsory school fee? Having clarified that, will he also ensure that the appropriate authorities - the headmasters and headmistresses - realise what the implications of that are?
MR WHALAN: Mr Speaker, I thank you, or whoever, for the question. I am aware that a particular high school is considering a sporting trip to Parkes in New South Wales but that at this stage there is no firm decision and no final arrangements have been made or teams selected. Whether the trip proceeds will depend on the school board's financial situation, which in turn depends on the level of response by parents to requests for voluntary financial contributions.
If the trip goes ahead, the selection of students will be made purely on the basis of sporting ability and record of behaviour. No student will be disadvantaged or excluded on the basis of payment or non-payment of the general voluntary contribution. However, there would also be a specific charge for transport and related costs which participating students would be required to pay.
In relation to the specific parts of the question which have been asked, I would say that parental contributions in ACT government schools are voluntary, and students may not be coerced or discriminated against on the basis of non-payment. Schools, of course, depend heavily on these
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