School Charges and Voluntary Contributions – Schools in the Free Education Scheme
The Education (Admission to Schools) Act 2018, Section 64 prohibits schools from charging fees or seeking payment or contributions for an application for admission to a school or for the enrolment or continued enrolment of a student in a school.
The introduction of the free schoolbook grants for primary schools and post primary schools saw the removal of book rental schemes charges in those schools. Schools may request a refundable deposit of up to €50 per student per year/cycle to encourage proper care of books. However, schools must not deny access to schoolbooks or core classroom resources due to nonpayment of the deposit or other school-related charges.
Voluntary contributions may be sought from parents, provided it is made clear to parents that there is no compulsion to pay and that a child’s place in the school or continued enrolment is not dependant on a willingness to make a voluntary contribution. A school cannot request mandatory fees or payments from existing pupils or from those seeking admission to the school.
Schools may however continue to request certain charges from pupils. There must be full transparency around the request being made.
The following charges may be legitimately requested:
- Payment for photocopied material, arts & crafts materials or practical subject materials provided by the school where the charge is reasonable and simply reflects the true costs concerned, and the free book scheme grant does not extend to cover the cost.
- Charges for student insurance, lockers, text messaging services, mock exam costs.
- Charges for meals and refreshments provided pupils are not forced to purchase same and can bring their own refreshments to school (e.g. lunchbox); or
- Services and activities provided by the school in excess of that included in the general school programme, provided the pupil can elect to avail of such services (e.g. supervised after-school study, school tours, or visits to theatres or sporting events).
While the above is not exhaustive, the key requirement is that a school does not operate a charge, in whatever form, that is in effect a mandatory fee and contrary to the principle of not charging fees that distinguishes recognised schools in the Free Education Scheme from those recognised schools that have elected to charge fees.
Further Guidance
Circular 0065/2010 Requirement that fees are not charged for continued eligibility for certain grants and staffing allocations