Western Australian Catholic school families on a healthcare card are receiving automatic fee concessions with the emergence of financial hardships caused by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Catholic Education Western Australia (CEWA) Executive Director Dr Debra Sayce assured families who are not qualified for a healthcare card, that they are also able to receive “immediate support”.
“The healthcare card discount applies to all year levels from Kindergarten to Year 12, and additional financial considerations are also available depending on each family’s circumstance,” Dr Sayce said.
“For parents who do not qualify for the health care card discount, but who are experiencing financial difficulties, arrangements can be made to provide immediate support to assist with tuition costs.”
National Catholic Education Executive (NCEC) Director Jacinta Collins, said Catholic schools have a long tradition of offering school fee relief and assistance to families facing financial difficulties.
“Catholic schools keep their fees as affordable as possible, but we know many families will be facing serious financial difficulties during this challenging time,” Ms Collins said.
“In each state and territory we are looking at ways to expand on the substantial fee relief arrangements already in place, to ease the financial strain on families, and to determine appropriate measures to best support the needs of families across the country.
“We saw recently through the bushfire season and ongoing drought, that some families are more affected than others, so we need to ensure that the right support and assistance goes to where it is most needed.
“Financial relief is immediately available to families impacted by the pandemic, she added.
“If families are affected by job losses, business closures or other impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, we urge them to speak to their school as quickly as possible, to get immediate relief and determine the level of assistance needed.
“We appreciate how difficult it is for parents to come forward with financial concerns, but our schools will ensure each case is handled with care and discretion,” Ms Collins continued.
“We understand that many families are already under great pressure and strain, and we do not want them to be further burdened by school fee payments.”
Ms Collins said Catholic schools would offer a blend of on-site and remote learning arrangements next term.
“Subject to government advice, we anticipate that, by Term 2, Catholic schools will be offering a combination of onsite schooling for the children of essential service workers and remote learning for students at home.”
Nationally, Catholic schools educate more than 764,000 students – or one in five Australian students – in 1746 schools, the vast majority of which are low-fee schools.