According to today's Indo, the cost of so-called voluntary contributions to schools is set to rise by up to 50% (not available on Indo website, AFAIK).

Indo consumer correspondent Aideen Sheehan wrote:

"The kids that do not pay get a different coloured letter a few months later to remind us to pay, so everyone knows we haven't paid and it is very embarrassing for the children," one parents said.

Schools are under serious financial pressure because of cutbacks but there is no justification for embarrassing children whose parents are having financial difficulties. Correspondence between schools and parents should take place only by post, e-mail or phone and must be kept confidential. The policy of giving different coloured letters to parents who cannot pay the contribution leads to bullying.

Schools undertaking such action will be publically named and shamed. Issuing different coloured letters or any such similar distinguishing action is victimisation of the pupil and the parents, and could be deemed as harassment. Dangerous grounds for the schools from a legal perspective.

How much are we talking about

€25 to €37.50
€100 to €150

Originally Posted by hammer

How much are we talking about

€25 to €37.50
€100 to €150

I'm looking at (going on last years figures) and the fact i will have three in the same school about €510 for the three of them for the year.....thats not including money for sports,school trips or irish dancing etc etc....

And obviously books an uniforms are also an extra not included....

Now add on 50% as reported to that figure.....

Originally Posted by Franzoni

I'm looking at (going on last years figures) and the fact i will have three in the same school about €510 for the three of them for the year.....thats not including money for sports,school trips or irish dancing etc etc....

And obviously books an uniforms are also an extra not included....

You have paid for their schooling through your taxes. You should leave it at that.

The funniest bit it they charge €70 a head for 'photocopying'....thats the newsletter that comes home in the schoolbags once a month with the begging letter attached...!

€170 per annum seems a little high.

We are practically bankrupt so I expected to pay some more. 50% though

Also the GAA club is looking for a voluntary loan this year.

Its getting harder.

Originally Posted by daveL

You have paid for their schooling through your taxes. You should leave it at that.

Unfortunately Dave we pay for a lot of stuff with our taxes but the government want to sqeeze us down to the pip for 'services' that they don't provide.....

That is what happens in a bankrupt country.

The public pay more.

There is no magic money tree.

We cannot expect the Germans to fund our local authorities, exchequer, schools, health service etc...

Ye should have thought about it before voting FF in 2007.

We are bankrupt NOW with a LOT MORE hardship to come.

How many schoools are transparent about how they spend their money?

I knwo one principal who started a major drive to increase school numbers anf make it over crowded so that two years after he was adding a large extension costing millions to the school. He used the same architect and contractor on his own new house as he did on the school project.