Schools or kura with an EQI below 431 and schools or kura who are not opting into the donations scheme

Schools and kura with an EQI below 431 are not eligible to opt in to the donations scheme. Learn about the scheme and the rules and regulations of donations, as well as parent obligations and other types of payments.

Level of compliance Main audience Other

Required

  • Boards
  • Principals and Tumuaki
  • Parents, Caregivers and Whānau
  • Administrators

Key information

The donations scheme is based on the Equity Index. Schools or kura with an EQI below 431 are not eligible to opt in to the donation scheme.

There are still rules and regulations you must follow in regard to donations and note that state schools can never charge domestic students for enrolment or attendance or for the delivery of the curriculum.

It is your school’s responsibility to ensure the voluntary nature of donations is clear to your parent community.

What is the donations scheme?

The Government will pay a school or kura with an EQI of 432 or above $154.13 per student per year if:

  • the board agrees to opt in to the scheme 
  • the board does not ask parents/caregivers for any donations (gifts/koha), except for overnight school camps.

The school donations scheme does not change the long-standing entitlement of students to free education. It is designed to eas pressure and expectation on families to pay donations even though they are voluntary.

Parents, caregivers, family or whānau can ask to attend the board meeting where you will discuss whether to opt in or not. Schools with an EQI of 432 or above are encouraged to consult with their school communities and reflect their views when making a decision.

Scheme eligibility

The Equity Index (EQI) provides an indicator of which schools face greater socio-economic barriers to student achievement.

Equity Index

We use the EQI to target funding to state and state-integrated schools to help them overcome any socio-economic barriers to learning that students might face.

What happens if your school does not join

  • Your school/kura will not receive additional funding.
  • Your school/kura can still ask parents to make donations.
  • The board may seek donations toward the cost of the core learning programme (curriculum).

You can also email any questions to school.donations@education.govt.nz.

See examples of what and can and cannot be asked for as either a donation or payment:

Examples for schools ineligible or not opting into the donations scheme

Rules that apply at all times

Section 33 of the Education and Training Act 2020 states that every person who is not an international student is entitled to free enrolment and free education at any state school.

That person is entitled to free enrolment and free education for the period beginning on their fifth birthday and ending on 1 January after their 19th birthday.

This means that schools cannot charge domestic students a fee for:

  • enrolment
  • attendance
  • the delivery of the curriculum.

Education and Training Act 2020 – NZ Legislation(external link)

Payment types

There are 3 types of payments:

  • donations
  • purchases of goods and services
  • attendance dues.

Donations

Donations are voluntary.

  • Parents can pay them in part, in full or not at all.
  • Donations can be for general purposes, or for a specific purpose.
  • Anyone can choose to make a donation to a school or kura at any time.
  • GST is not payable, donation tax credits can be claimed.
  • Schools and kura with an EQI number of 432 and above who opt in to the donations scheme will receive a per-student payment for that year in exchange for not asking for donations – with the exception of donations for school camps.
  • Schools and kura with an EQI below 431 who chose not to opt in can still ask for donations but payment cannot be compelled or enforced.

Operational funding rates(external link)

Purchases of goods and services

Purchases of goods and services are voluntary.

  • Schools and kura can ask parents and whānau to pay for goods and services they provide that are optional (for example, pens and lunches).
  • It is up to parents and whānau to decide whether to buy them from the school/kura or somewhere else.
  • If a purchase is agreed, payment can be enforced.
  • GST is chargeable and a tax credit cannot be claimed.

Attendance dues

Attendance dues are compulsory for state-integrated schools and kura.

  • Payment can be enforced and GST is payable, a tax credit cannot be claimed.
  • State-integrated schools and kura cannot increase attendance dues without the approval of the Minister of Education.

Parent, caregiver and whānau obligations

Donations

Donations are always voluntary, no matter who asks for them.

Parents, caregivers and whānau never have to make a donation to your school or kura. They are free to give any size donation any time if they choose. GST is not payable on the donation and they can claim a tax credit.

Goods and services

Parents, caregivers and whānau can choose to purchase goods and services from your school or kura or seek supplies elsewhere.

If they agree to buy goods or services, they are responsible to pay.

Optional activities

There are no restrictions on charging fees for extracurricular, weekend or optional activities.

If parents choose to send their child to these activities, it is with the understanding that these feeds are to be paid for. It is your school’s responsibility to ensure that this is clearly communicated.

Examples of what schools can and cannot ask for

See examples of what and can and cannot be asked for as either a donation or payment:

Examples for schools ineligible or not opting into the donations scheme

What is a school camp?

A school camp is defined as any curriculum-related activity where students are expected to stay overnight as part of that activity.

Parents, caregivers and whānau can choose to pay none, some or all of the school camp donation. If they choose not to make a donation, a child cannot be stopped from attending a camp if it is part of the school’s curriculum.

Activities Examples
Camp
  • Education outside the classroom (EOTC) camp
  • Year 9 induction camp
  • Senior school leadership camp
  • Overnight field trip as part of a senior secondary assessment (for example, Year 12 biology field trip)
  • An overnight trip to Wellington to visit key places such as Te Papa, Parliament, and the Carter Observatory
Not camp
  • Swimming lessons
  • Day trip to the museum
  • Day trip as part of senior secondary assessment

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