Parents Are Getting Better Informed About Rules Around Parent Contribution.

Parents Are Getting Better Informed About Rules Around Parent Contribution.

Parents are much better informed about the new rules for the voluntary parental contribution. This appears from research among the focus group of Ouders & Onderwijs.

Since 2021, schools may no longer exclude children if their parents do not pay the parental contribution. The research shows that 74% of parents know this. In 2021, this was only 44%.

Most parents are positive about the rules

Parents face school costs every year. For example, costs for notebooks or a laptop, but also the voluntary parental contribution. Since 2021, schools may no longer exclude children from activities. Not even if parents do not pay the parental contribution. Besides more parents knowing this, most parents (71%) are also positive about this rule.

Lobke Vlaming, director of Ouders & Onderwijs says:

‘It is a positive development that more and more parents know that not paying the parental contribution should never lead to negative consequences for their children. It is important that schools communicate clearly about this, so parents with a small budget do not feel pressured. We also see that most parents are willing to contribute if they can afford it.’

Not compulsory, but almost all parents pay

More and more parents know that paying the parental contribution is not compulsory. Still, most parents plan to pay the parental contribution (73%). Some parents say they pay it partially (7%). Others plan to not pay the parental contribution at all (9%).

 

“Because of the parental contribution they [the children] can do fun, extra things at school. As long as I can pay the amount, I give my children and the other students these things that make school a bit more fun.”

Less exclusion

According to the rules, not paying the parental contribution should have no consequences for children. Unfortunately, some parents experience it differently. Parents still feel pressure to pay (5%) and fear that their child will be excluded (10%).

The research shows a positive development: according to 37% of parents, it has no consequences if they do not pay the parental contribution. In 2021, this was 25% of parents. Schools can still communicate better about this. A quarter of parents say they do not know what happens if the parental contribution is not paid.

About the research

This research involved 1076 parents with a child in primary education, secondary education, special (primary/secondary) education or private education. The results are statistically weighted, making the research representative by gender, education level and cultural background.

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