School Cert, fees remission axed

Press, 11 July 1989, Page 8

School Cert, fees remission axed

By

JENNY LONG

Thousands of low-income families may have difficulty paying their children’s School Certificate fees this year, after the axing of Government assistance. Until this year, families had been able to apply for fees remission, under a scheme administered by the Social Welfare Department. The department has

now decided not to be involved. Fees remission was granted to about 3000 of the 69,000 candidates last year. The fees this year are $lO.BO for each subject, and $12.70 for registration. Schools have just received their examination entry forms, along with a circular saying that fees remission will not be .avail-

able. A department spokesman said that the department had no plans "at this stage ” to step in and run the scheme. Under the scheme students had to apply when they sent in their examination entry forms and the department would income-test the applicants. A family of husband and wife

with one child, which had an income of $22,700 or less, would qualify for fees remission. Other levels applied to other family situations, such as solo-parent families. School principals were unhappy to hear of the axing of the assistance yesterday, saying that it was contrary to the Government’s equity objectives.