School or Kura donations scheme
The School Donations Scheme allows decile 1-7 state and state-integrated schools to opt-in to get $150 per domestic student (aged 5-19) per year if the school agrees not to ask parents/caregivers for donations (excluding school camps).
As donations are voluntary (parents/caregivers have a choice if they pay), no hardship assistance is available for clients whether their school has opted in or not (including decile 8 - 10 schools).
If the parent/caregiver chooses not to pay the donation, the child cannot be stopped from attending an activity if it is part of the core learning programme (curriculum).
If any schools insist the donation must be paid (all schools), please tell the client to talk to the Ministry of Education so they can follow up with the school directly:
For more information see:
- Ministry of Education Fees and charges at school
School camps
Schools or Kura can continue to ask for donations for overnight school camps if they are part of the core learning programme (curriculum), but they cannot insist on payment.
This applies whether the school has opted-in to the donations scheme or not. In these instances, no hardship assistance is available to clients regardless of whether their school has opted in or not (including decile 8 - 10 schools).
If the parent/caregiver chooses not to pay the donation, the child cannot be stopped from attending an activity if it's part of the core learning programme (curriculum).
Parents/caregivers may still need assistance to cover specific items for school camp eg a raincoat or an additional pair of shoes. Hardship assistance can be considered in these circumstances if they qualify.
For more information see:
What parents can and cannot be asked to pay
The below table shows what parents/caregivers can and cannot be asked to pay (note, this is not an exhaustive list).
Parent/caregiver must pay |
Core goods/services
|
Optional materials/resources
|
Optional activities
|
Donation can be asked for, but payment is optional |
Camps, Trips and Outside Education
|
School cannot request a donation. Free to family/whānau. |
Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
|
Programmes and Courses
|
Resources
|
Swimming
|
For more information see:
- Ministry of Education The school donations scheme
Checking if schools have opted in
Schools/Kura will decide each year whether to opt-in to the donations scheme or not.
Staff can check if a school has opted-in by:
- checking Education Counts Find your nearest school and
- searching the school's name
Whether a school has opted-in or not will show in the 'Donations' information:
- Opted-in: 'Donations should not be requested, unless for a school camp'
- Not opted-in (does not qualify): 'Donations may be requested'
