Optional State State Integrated by Whanganui Collegiate of $ 10,000 Tax shocks

The optional tax is above a mandatory “presence” of $ 2760, according to which all integrated schools are allowed to perceive to cover the costs of the property.

Craig Sinclair has told RNZ six of his eight children participated in school in recent years, and some would be there if they weren’t for a fee.

He said that other integrated schools have requested similar payments as a donation, which was eligible for a tax loan and also perceived less than colleagues.

“I just want colleagues Whanganui to have their accusations similar to Rathkeaale, Lindisfarne, Woodford House, all other state -integrated state schools in North de Jos, who have participation fees for Children’s Day, the other contributions are by donation,” he said.

The 2025 fee program of the school showed that the students received a US 2760 presence and an optional fee for the use of boarding facilities of $ 10.080.

The requested amount doubled from almost 2020, when it was $ 5585, although at that time a $ 900 council donation was requested.

The school’s tax information described the tax as an optional purchase of goods and services.

He said: “Opting in unintegrated facilities for day students offers access to” Prep “spaces during the school day, tutor assistance, pastoral care assistance from the Health Center, Casemasters, Residential Masters and Matroni, with supervision of the house during time breaks.

“As an Anglican school, it contributes to our faith and chaplain. NIFFDS students participate in all inter-house sports and cultural competitions, in co-curricular activities, such as inter-house swimming, athletics and background events, music, Tikanga and other school activities. These services from the owner are in addition to the full learning program offered by the Board of Directors and personnel of the school. “

Whanganui, the director of the Whanganui College, Wayne Brown, told RNZ in a statement that the school has classified the payment as an optional tax for goods and services, because it covered the specific costs associated with the supply, maintenance and administration of boarding facilities.

“Unlike a donation – which is given without waiting for a direct return – this tax is directly related to the provision of many defined services. Every year, we work closely with the Ministry of Education that we look at our processes. Every year, our accounts, the school and the owner are completely audited.

“In practice, our families choose to pay this tax, recognizing the value of the additional facilities and services that create our strong culture of the house at the WCS. At WCS, we had only one family who did not opt ​​in our tax structure, because families see value in it. If we had families who would consider not pay, access to these facilities and personally would not have provided. However, this would not in any way affect the quality of integrated education and the basic services that all students receive. “

The tax information from other integrated schools showed that they have ranked similar payments as donations.

Woodford House asked the Days Day a “special characters” of USD 6053 and a USD building contribution.

The Rathkeale College has requested a donation of tuition and tuition facilities of $ 7510 for elderly students, while Lindisfarne College requested a voluntary parental contribution of $ 8700 for facilities that were not part of the integrated school.

The law that governed the integration of private schools in the state system has stated that “financial contributions, other than participation fees, will be made voluntarily and will not be refused to register because of the parents’ wish to make such contributions”.

Tips for schools on the accusations and donations they may ask, schools cannot “exclude students from travel or activities that are part of the delivery of the curriculum due to their parents’ incapacity or desire to pay a requested donation.”

The figures of the Ministry of Education showed that the college had 437 students last year – 259 boys and 178 girls. The figure included 40 international students. In 2019 he had 441 students, including 58 international students paying taxes.

The school turned from private to integrated state in early 2013, saving it from closing by increasing government financing.

The Ministry of Education warned at the time that parents would feel considerable pressure to make voluntary payments and that Whanganui did not need another state school.

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