New Legislation on School Fees

Tuesday, March 27, 2007 03:59 AM

The Province has introduced new legislation that will allow schools to continue to charge fees for special programs.

The legislation is in the wake of a court ruling that limited school fees. The Court ruled charging the fees violated the School Act which requires school boards to provide an education free of charge to every resident student of school age living in B.C. and enrolled in a school operated by a Board. It also prevents Boards from charging for educational resource materials
necessary to participate in an educational program.

Education Minister Shirley Bond says the legislation will "protect core education programs that students require to graduate, while allowing districts the flexibility to charge fees for specialty academies, trades training and music equipment."

Under the new legislation, school districts may charge fees:

To defray non-instructional costs to operate specialty academies, or costs that are in addition to the costs of providing a regular education program
For the purchase or rental of musical instruments for a student's personal use
For the purchase or rental of tools, materials or equipment for a student's personal use in trades training or apprenticeship programs.

The fees will have to be approved by a planning council and the School Board and there will have to be a policy in place to ensure students who may face a financial hardship can still participate in the program.

The new legislation ( Bill 20) is welcome news to School District 57 Superintendent Brian Pepper. "We always thought we were in compliance, but I had some concerns about the band programs as students often rented equipment and instruments in order to take part." Pepper adds "I am pleased, this legislation provides the clarification we were looking for."

Previous Story - Next Story

Email |

Print |

Facebook |

Twitter |

Digg |

Del.icio.us

Posted on Tuesday, March 27, 2007 03:59 AM in News by 250 News

Return to Home

Comments

Posted by: Gofaster on March 27 2007 7:37 AM

Amazing what Campbell's government will do to get their own way...
The part that irks me most is they can smile and feel good about it...

Posted by: whynotyou on March 27 2007 7:52 AM

Too bad politicians didn't have to hold bake sales to fund their trips to China, they should also have to pay for their own coffee. If they had to wait until they were 65 to receive their pensions, like most people, there would be plenty of extra cash for education and health matters. Maybe even fix a few potholes!!! Just my opinion...LOL

I will also add - I am glad that children from families with financial hardships will not be left out of the loops.

Posted by: charles on March 27 2007 5:54 PM

To me this is a lot of fancy words describing what is basically another tax.

Posted by: billposer on March 28 2007 3:54 AM

This is worse than a tax. A tax spreads the pain more widely and, if it is the income tax, puts more of the burden on the rich than the poor. School fees put the burden entirely on parents and without regard to their ability to pay.