29 January 2024
The Greens have welcomed the State Government’s move to provide some school students with free computers and internet access under a new program but say that the Government must go further to help families during the cost-of-living crisis.
“Free devices and internet are a welcome move, but SA parents are still expected to pay thousands of dollars in school fees each year to cover other essentials like uniforms, books, and stationary”, said Greens SA Education Spokesman Robert Simms MLC.
“School children shouldn’t be missing out just because their parents are unable to pay. The State Government must step up and scrap public school fees altogether to relieve the pressure on parents struggling in this cost-of-living crisis and ensure that all SA schoolkids have equal access the education that they deserve.”
Earlier this month data released by the Futurity Investment Group revealed that SA families are spending more than $86,000 to put a child through public school from prep to year 12 and a separate survey from the Smith Family showed that school fees were leaving 11% of Australian parents struggling to afford food.