P18PPS

It is voluntary, and in the area that I live it definitely IS socially expected that you'll pay - you can tell this by the decile of the school.

The fewer parents that pay the voluntary donation means that the government is forced to topup the basic amount that the school receives from the government. So if everyone chose not to pay then the average tax payer would have to pay more, hence taxes rise etc. As it stands if you pay the voluntary donation then you know that that money is directly going into funding the school - it means that the playground gets upgraded, the sports equipment is replaced, there are additional teachers at the school meaning class sizes are smaller....

I repeat and agree it is a voluntary donation, and I for one for as long as I am financially able have no problem whatsoever in paying the donation when I can see the immediate benefits for my children.

Robbie2010

Or is it that the more parents that pay the donation the more the government reduces funding and taxes?

If you wish to pay then fine that's your choice ... but do not criticize those that choose not to pay it.

P18PPS

Will have to agree to disagree on this one.

Robbie2010

NZ culture? It would seem that half in NZ don't pay "volutary donations"... http://www.google.co.nz/url?sa=t&sou...pn0MoaR8DC-oKQ

P18PPS

well I'm in the other half the population that does then, and by doing so supports the likes of parents like you.

mickey_d

Can we add a poll to this

Divine Comedy

Hi all, Great idea!!! As my initial question was to find out what percentage of folk pay. As I have paid for the last 3 years I havnt had a problem with it as it does directly benefit the school , but the pressure the school then puts forward becomes abit of a bugbear . I then find out that only 56% of parents have paid and we are in a decile 10 school . It seems so unfair dosnt it ? I suppose as this year it is abit tight for us I should feel ok not paying for just one year ? My kids have a long time to go school yet so I have plenty of years to pay again.
I think my putting to a thread I can see if I can loose my guilt abit

P18PPS

good suggestion

Question - anyone been to the Auckland Museum and having been an Auckland resident - the $5 charge is a "suggested voluntary donation"..... do you pay?

BEVS

I can try . What do you want for the poll Divine Comedy as this is your thread..


for example........

1 - I pay school donation but would prefer it was within taxation

2 - I am happy to pay school donation

3 - I do not pay school donation.

4 - I pay but it's a struggle

5 - I cannot afford to pay.

etc.


or simply

1 - I pay school donation

2 - I do not pay school donation

....which might not work real well considering most on here are expats, not Kiwis .

There was an explanation put forward a while ago that the 'voluntary donation' system for part of the school funding was so kiwis were able to claim tax back for the money spent.

FWIW. The voluntary donation system is accepted here in NZ as being simply the way it is. It is a part of the NZ system. It's not just about the odd raffle or school fete. It's a necessary part of overall funding if parents want 'stuff' for the school. It's not about fancy extras. On top of the 'voluntary donation' rate set, there is also extensive fund-raising. I rather see the 'voluntary donation' as a form of non-compulsory school fee. One is not shunned for not paying but it is better for the whole community and school if you do. Bit like the way that charities go about raising funds here. They need to be aggressively forward in the approach to catch those extra dollars as there are so many charities chasing very few people.

I'm not at all surprised that a fair amount of New Zealanders/ Kiwis can't or don't pay school funds. They probably simply cannot afford to.

janeyk

intresting the variation in donation in Wellingtn a decile 10 school my son went to the anuual amount was $120 plus swimming fees and stationery

in Auckland a decile 10 school $170 plus specific stationery totalling $100 plus term activity 21 per term plus $40 extra for waterwise oh and by the way a camp we are expecting to take all your kids on $176! also please can you come every week to help at waterwise and also volunteer to turn up at camp. On top of this the fundraising goes on with various activities the largest being a fete which raised $12k!

A friend of mine down the road has a daughter in a different school donation = $100 0r donate 10 hours of your time no donation

Browner_

Sorry that is total rubbish.
Donations are donations. Fees are fees.
Your diatribe is quite simply gobbledegook.

Browner_

Answer me one question then.
Why isnt it a FEE?

P18PPS

I'm really interested to know from those who respond with the opposite opinion of myself:
- what decile school do your children go to?
- are you happy with the facilities at the school?
- what are the average class sizes for the school?
- without being too specific is it a rural or city school?

rick78

this is a great thread

BEVS

Really? Why do you find it so very funny considering, from what you write , you haven't arrived yet and are yet to settle here.

am awaiting the OP