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Thousands in extra class costs
Ministry lays out what state schools can and cannot solicit from parents
By Supinda na Mahachai

State schools cannot ask parents for more than Bt2,000 in additional school fees this year, the government said.

These fees are to cover extracurricular activities taught by special personnel or requiring special teaching materials or technologies, Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat said.

The regulation limits schools to collecting money from parents with approval from school committees and the willingness of students and parents only.

The regulation cites 13 things schools cannot ask parents for money for. These things are already paid for by the state and include student IDs, sports equipment and office supplies.

Schools can solicit money from parents in three areas.

Tutors for special proficiencies such as English in primary to lowersecondary levels qualify for Bt35,000 a school each year. In higher secondary this rises to Bt40,000 a year. For a "mini English programme", schools can collect Bt17,500 a year in primary to lowersecondary levels and Bt20,000 at higher secondary.

Expenses for "educational quality development", including computer teaching, afterclass Internet hours and foreign teachers qualify for up to Bt2,000 per pupil per term. Field trips can be charged at cost.

Expenses for specialist teachers and airconditioning are optional for parents. Student welfare, insurance and health checks are also optional for parents as are charges for boarders, dormitories and laundry.

Because the government fails to fully cover all schools for infrastructure and teacher expenses, the minister says those with a shortfall can raise funds from parents. This must be approved by school committees and parents notified in advance. Parents and students must be given an option to be involved in activities that will cost extra.

Fund raising must also be reported to the ministry, Somchai says.

Civil servants and other state employees will be reimbursed by the government for additional school costs, Somchai adds.

The Nation