The cost of going to school

Aschildren return to school, parents need to factor into their budget the hidden costs of school education.

A survey by the Australian Scholarship Group reports that the cost of educating a child from Reception to Year 12 can be as high as $250,000 at a private school. Those who attend Catholic schools could cost their parents on average $150,000 by the end of Year 12, while those attending government schools could total $49,000.

Deanne Sloan from Mawson Lakes who has two school-aged-children, said that the real cost of educating her children came as a surprise when she added up all the expenses. “Parents tend to focus on school fees and overlook the extra charges that weigh down the budget,” she said.

Extra costs may include clothing, canteen, stationery, books, travel fares, sporting and musical equipment, computer charges and internet access. Then there are costs associated with extra curricula activities such as excursions, incursions, good causes, and other school functions that can be be a drain on the purse.

At the beginning of each year it’s a good idea to make a list of additional costs that might be incurred throughout the year in order to gauge the real cost of sending a child to school.

“In my family I work to pay the education bills,” said Deanne. “We consider that education is a good investment in our children’s future but it is one of the biggest items in our budget.”