Barnardo’s annual school cost survey validates the trauma facing many Kildare families  and indeed, parents across the country.

I firmly believe both the Back to School Allowance and the School Transport Scheme should be expanded as too many families on lower tier incomes are finding the overall costs of primary and level education unbearable.

Last week’s annual survey by the national children’s charity,  Barnardos validates the horrendous burden on parents as they prepare for the return to school period. According to the report,  42% of all parents have delayed paying household bills to meet the back to school bills, with 1 in 10 families forced to go into debt to meet the expense.

The estimate of €345 for a child going into senior infants’ and €775 for a student entering first year at secondary level seems outrageous but even more so, when you add the ‘voluntary’ contributions expected throughout the year, with almost 80 % of schools requesting these. Schools in Co Kildare do their best to keep the costs down. However, every additional payment places stress on parents.

One secondary school in Newbridge requests €90 per student plus a one off fee of €150 per family whilst another secondary school charges €320 for fourth year per student (includes bus trips). A deposit had to be paid in April and the full amount paid prior to start of term.

Primary schools in the area vary but the average is €80 per child, which usually is described as covering ‘stationary and photo-copying’ but does not cover additional field trips or extra-curricular classes. One exception to this is a rural school in Co Kildare which benefited from a very generous local benefactor whose donation supplemented the inadequate funding from DEIS, a welcome occurrence but alas, a rare one.

Capitation grant for schools has fallen significantly since 2011, from €200 per pupil to €173 – a decrease of 11% whilst uniforms and books increased.  During the school year, additional fees may arise for annual outings, field trips or sporting events, and to top it all off,  school transport fees for children living in rural areas. ‘Free’ education is a myth.

I believe the Back to School Allowance should be expanded to assist families whose earnings fall just above the income threshold to receive the grant. Schools should agree to provide/sell iron-on crests, thereby facilitating the purchase of low cost generic uniforms.

Kildare families are further struggling to meet school transport costs with many lower income families paying up to €650 per annum on school transport, despite being in receipt of the Back to School Allowance.

Currently a child who holds a medical card, and lives more than 3.2km from a primary school or 4.8km from a secondary school, is entitled to free school transport. The €100 primary school and €200 for second level pupils through the BSA is completely negated by the additional fees for transport, school fees and contributions.

Meeting education costs becomes a source of tension within the family unit, which is hardly conducive to promoting education. As a former primary school teacher and having worked extensively in the special needs’ sector, I know full well the importance of education, particularly in the early years of a child’s development.

By the time pupils have exited secondary school, many students and parents would not consider under-taking the financial burden of third level education.