Jess Casey: Seeking illegal school admission fees acts as 'soft barrier' for many parents

It's understood the seeking of registration fees by schools is more widespread than just the five Cork schools outlined in Thursday's 'Irish Examiner' report

The introduction of free schoolbook grants saw the removal of book rental scheme charges. Now, while schools may request a refundable deposit of up to €50 to encourage the proper care of the books throughout the school year, access to these, or any classroom resources, may not be denied due to non-payment or other school-related charges. File photo

For many busy parents, securing an offer of a school place for their child who is due to start in post-primary school the following year brings a great sense of relief.

Another job soon to be ticked off the never-ending 'to do' list, once a form attached to their offer is filled out and returned to the school.

If the letter also asks for fees, payment or a contribution of any kind, they might not stop to question it. Assuming they can afford it, that is. 

Maybe the letter describes it as a registration fee, or an admin charge. It might be highlighted as “non-refundable” or “mandatory” and the school will cite the costs it covers.

But since 2018, legislation has been in place that prohibits the seeking of charges in any form to be tied to the admissions or enrolment process.

The Irish Examiner has seen letters sent by five post-primary Cork schools this year, seeking some form of payment from parents as they offered their child a place.

These payments are each described differently, one described the money sought as a “non-refundable” contribution; another again as a “non-refundable” registration fee.

Charges that may be legitimately sought include photocopied material, arts and crafts materials or practical subject materials, as well as student insurance, lockers, text messaging services, and mock exam costs. File photo

Another school described it as a “voluntary registration fee” while another sought a “student services charge”.

It's understood this practice is more widespread than just these five schools. 

In 2020, an investigation by the Irish Times highlighting the issue in Dublin revealed the Department of Education had received at least 30 complaints from parents in the year prior who had said they had been charged illegal admission fees.

Efforts have been made in recent years to bring the ‘free’ education system closer to reality.

But running a school is a costly business. Between heating, insurance, daily admin, and extracurriculars, to name but a few, the monthly bills of many schools across the country rival those of any thriving enterprises.

It's no mean feat to balance the books, never mind the cost-of-living crisis, and the well-documented shortfall in overall funding leads schools to seek voluntary contributions to address gaps.

Legislation

The advice to schools on when charges can, and can’t, be sought from parents is explained in advice from the Department of Education-funded Financial Support Services Unit (FSSU), which is there to support schools when it comes to financial governance.

It states that Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 prohibits schools from seeking fees, payments or contributions when it comes to an admissions application or for the enrolment of a student in a school.

“When voluntary contributions are sought, it must be 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 dependent on a willingness to make a voluntary contribution.” 

The introduction of free schoolbook grants saw the removal of book rental scheme charges. Now, while schools may request a refundable deposit of up to €50 to encourage the proper care of the books throughout the school year, access to these, or any classroom resources, may not be denied due to non-payment or other school-related charges.

According to the FSSU: “A school cannot request mandatory fees or payments from existing pupils or from those seeking admission to the school.”

Charges that may be legitimately sought include photocopied material, arts and crafts materials or practical subject materials, as well as student insurance, lockers, text messaging services, and mock exam costs. 

However, the key requirement according to the FSSU is that the school does "not operate a charge, in whatever form, that is in effect a mandatory fee". 

'Soft barrier'

One principal who highlighted the practice to the Irish Examiner said seeking fees in any form at the time of enrolment acts in effect as a "soft barrier" for many families. 

"It's not only about school finances, it's about the pressure to choose in an artificial timeframe. It's also a soft barrier depending on the amount sought.

"It should not be happening in any shape or form because it's a separate process. It's an enrolment process, and they are really clear that you cannot charge for any admin costs or any application fee. 

"If schools want to pass on charges, which can be legitimate, that's a different thing. It has to happen separately." 

There's an implied and unavoidable pressure if it's presented at the same time [as enrolment] when parents feel vulnerable and want the best for their child, and don't want to start arguments. 

A spokesman for the Department of Education said Section 64 of the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act 2018 "explicitly prohibits" the charging of admission and enrolment fees for admission to, or for continued enrolment in a school. 

"In instances where the department is made aware of schools charging fees that are prohibited by section 64, the department will follow up with the school [or schools] concerned." 

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He added: "Voluntary contributions by parents of pupils enrolled in recognised schools are permissible provided it is made absolutely clear to parents that there is no requirement to pay and that, in making a contribution, they are doing so of their own volition."

The manner in which voluntary contributions are sought and collected is a matter for school management, he added.