Church schools under more scrutiny but issues remain

The Education Directorate will be asking Church schools for information about any non-voluntary expenses parents are expected to bear, but questions remain about the transparency of requests for donations.

“As from this scholastic year, Church schools are being asked to indicate all non-voluntary costs ex­pected from parents related to their children’s education, including stationery costs and uniform items bought exclusively from the school,” the Education Ministry said.

This measure, however, will not address transparency questions that have recently been raised with respect to voluntary donations, especially since parents in some Church schools are being asked for higher amounts.

According to the 1991 state-Church agreement, the government subsi­dises 10 per cent over and above staff costs to cover other expenses and last year pledged €43.2 million in subsidies. The agreement allows Church schools to request donations from parents to help them cover administrative and maintenance costs.

Church schools are not obliged to inform the directorate about these voluntary donations while the Church does not keep a record, since schools’ administration is autonomous.

“Given the independent and autonomous nature of these schools, each school makes its request for donations according to its own educational plans in line with its own... internal procedures,” a ministry spokes­man said. “Such requests should be, and be seen to be, voluntary. “

Since its inception in 2008, the Quality Assurance Department has received only one allegation of a Church school putting parents under any pressure to provide the requested donation and even this proved unfounded.

With regard to public funds invested in Church schools, a rigorous compliance system ensures the money is accounted for and spent according to the rules, he added.

According to former Sacred Heart School headmaster Edward Mallia, the introduction of a similar element of accountability into voluntary donations would require a modification of the Church-state agreement.

However, parents as parents, and not as taxpayers, “are in the strongest position” to obtain transparency.

“The problem is that, as the increases being asked for are on the ‘donations’ side, it is the parents who should be pressing for more transparency and accountability,” he said, adding that parents are sometimes scared the school might do them, or their children, some mischief if they speak up.