FEES CHARGED TO PARENTS

KEY POINTS

Comprehensive data

• Data taken from financial reports produced by the school boards over the past four years show a continued increase in the fees charged to parents for exercise books and other types of materials, as well as for noontime supervision. Likewise, there has been an increase in all other fees charged to parents, with the exception of those charged for noontime transportation.
• According to the school boards’ financial reports, the total amount of fees charged for exercise books and other types of materials, together with those for noontime supervision, noontime transportation and other activities, rose from $100.1 million in the 1999-2000 school year to $143.9 million in 2002-2003.

• The 2004 study indicates that the minimum and maximum overall averages for fees related to regular study programs were, respectively, $39.55 and $78.96 for preschool and elementary education, and $70.73 and $114.95 for secondary school education.

• The study shows that, on average, the maximum annual fees that school boards and schools charged for noontime transportation amounted to about $137. A comparison of the data from 1999 and 2004 for francophone elementary schools indicates that, on average, the minimum amount charged for the same service rose from $119 to $120, while the maximum amount climbed from $122 to $137.
• Data taken from the school boards’ financial reports reveal that the revenue from fees charged to parents for noontime transportation has declined over the past four years, dropping from $6.8 million in 1999-2000 to $5.7 million in 2002-2003.
• Given the increasing numbers of families in which both parents work, the drop in the school population and the rise in the number of requests for childcare services, the demand for noontime transportation will continue to decline.

• Data collected in 2004 indicate that, on average, schools charge a maximum of $172.37 annually for noontime supervision. A comparison of the data for 1999 and 2004 shows that, on average, the minimum yearly fees that francophone elementary schools charged for this service rose from $90 to $139, while the maximum fees for the same years and service went from $106 to $186. With respect to anglophone elementary schools, average minimum fees increased from $136 to $158, while the average maximum fees went from $148 to $182.
• Data taken from the school boards’ financial reports show the costs for noontime supervision rising from $17.4 million in 1999-2000 to $25 million in 2002-2003. This rise can be attributed to higher fees as well as to increase in the number of students requiring such services.
• Although the amount charged to parents for noontime supervision generally represents less than $1 per day of school, this amount must be added to the total bill they are required to pay.

• Data gathered in 2004 show that both school boards and schools have sought to keep fees as low as possible by establishing fee-monitoring measures. The study reveals that 88.49% of schools and 71.2% of school boards have taken steps to monitor the fees charged to parents.
• Moreover, 28.91% of schools at the preschool and elementary levels and 21.50% of secondary schools have complied with the fee ceilings set by their governing boards. These amount, on average, to $98.28 for preschool and elementary schools and $89.86 for secondary schools.
• All public school stakeholders represented in the working group recognize the need to restrict fee increases. Although the Education Act stipulates that parents may be responsible for some fees, these should not become an obstacle to the principle of unimpeded access to public school. This objective will, of course, require the cooperation of the school boards and governing boards, which are jointly responsible for the organization of services.
• The working group is also mindful of the key role that parents can play in this matter. The creation of governing boards has given them a forum where they can influence the decisions made within their schools. They are encouraged to suggest ways of reducing school fees and to require greater accountability on the part of those who set them.

• The group is of the opinion that individualized study programs, vocational training and the organization of noontime services require further consideration.