Lindsey: ‘Important that schools account for parents’ contributions’.

Lindsey: ‘Important that schools account for parents’ contributions’.

Lindsey is mother to a son (16) and a daughter (21). Her daughter studies, and her son goes to secondary school. She pays the voluntary parent contribution every year. There was a time when she had less to spend because she was unemployed. Then the municipality helped her well with a school cost allowance.

When asked which costs are included in the voluntary parent contribution on the school invoice, Lindsey says she pays for the school camp, excursions, Sinterklaas and Christmas, an iPad, the parent council, copying costs and a locker. In total, it amounts to about 150 euros per year. Luckily, she can afford it. At her daughter’s school, the contribution was often a few hundred euros more. But that school also organized a trip abroad. She does not understand why schools differ so much in the activities offered. ‘I think it is important that schools explain what the parent contribution money is used for. In the corona year, many activities did not take place, and the school could not clearly say what the parent contribution was spent on.’

Paying for copying costs

When asked about the copying costs charged, Lindsey answers: ‘My son is in an iPad class, so everything goes digitally. They work with certain standard licenses. If extra material is offered that falls outside the license, it is provided on paper to the students. That explains the copying costs.’ Understandable maybe, but legally these are costs for the school. Books and teaching materials fall under educational resources and are officially the school’s responsibility.’

iPad class

Lindsey’s son is in an iPad class. This means that every student works on an iPad in class. The school requires this. Parents can buy an iPad through the school. Lindsey has no idea if the school provides an alternative for parents who do not want or cannot afford the iPad.

From the start of the new law, a school that chooses an iPad class can ask for a voluntary parent contribution for this. If parents do not want or cannot pay, students cannot be excluded from the iPad class. An iPad class is seen as a program, similar to for example following bilingual education.

Tight budget

Lindsey has experienced a time when she had less to spend and needed help to pay school costs. She looked for help and found her municipality. ‘I was really helped well and I am very happy about that. Not every municipality arranges that so well.’ She believes that a lower income not only creates inequality in trips but also in level. ‘If the school does not agree with a decision to test your child for example for dyslexia or ADHD, you as a parent must pay for these tests yourself. Not every parent can afford this, which affects the child. The same applies to homework guidance, these costs have to be paid by parents. If that does not work, chances are the child will get stuck at a lower level.’

No more extra trips?

The adjustment of the law about the voluntary parent contribution states that children cannot be excluded if parents do not want or cannot pay the contribution. Lindsey thinks this is good. She only worries if parents decide not to pay the parent contribution anymore. She thinks schools are already cut enough and values the extra trips and activities highly. ‘I do think there has to be money for extra activities; they make school time fun. During corona many activities could not take place. Hopefully, this law change will not lead to cuts on trips.’