The Independent Schools Association is taking stock of the Budget measures, to increase tax deductions for parents sending their children to private schools, to see exactly what these would mean to it.

In summer, independent schools sought more aid for parents, demanding more tax credits so that private schooling would be more affordable and they would not have to close down.

On Monday, the government announced further tax deductions and a refund of 15 per cent of eligible expenses connected to new construction by these schools.

But the association felt it was premature to react and would do so once it was properly informed and its accountants understood exactly what the refund meant to the schools.

In the case of children in primary schools and kindergartens, the maximum amount in deductions from taxable income would increase to €1,200, and to €1,600 for secondary schools, meaning raises of €200, Finance Minister Tonio Fenech said in his Budget speech.

He said the government was also holding talks with the schools’ association to study areas of cooperation, which, while guaranteeing their independence from the state, would ensure their viability.

Alex Torpiano, a former chairman of a private school, welcomed the measures, saying they were a step in the right direction.

“I understand the country’s situation, so not much can be done in the circumstances,” he said, adding the increased tax deductions were sure to help some parents.

The architect, who was very active in the late 1980s to get parent-run schools off the ground, is of the firm belief that everyone should be given the choice to send their children to private schools.

Speaking in his own capacity, he admitted: “It is never enough but the government has acknowledged that these schools have a point and is offering what it can.”

The further tax deduction for parents in the independent sector was also welcomed by San Anton School head Vicki Anastasi. However, she said: “We still look forward to a government policy regarding the sector, which would see us included in more national strategies.”

A report by PricewaterhouseCoopers, presented to the government by the Independent Schools Association in summer, is said to have called for some €17 million worth of vouchers, or tax credits, for parents over a period of 10 years.

The association’s argument is that, since fewer children are being enrolled into private schools and costs are ever on the rise, the losses incurred are so great they risk closing down.

It maintains it would be more expensive for the government to absorb the thousands of students into state education than to give vouchers to parents to help them retain their children in private schools.

The government already offered tax credits to parents of students attending independent schools and has stressed its commitment to the sector. But the association had suggested their enhancement and the introduction of grants so that private schools would not suffer as a result of the reforms being undertaken by Church schools.

The association is composed of 14 independent schools that cater for some 7,000 students and includes those run as a business and those operated as non-profit foundations.

Parents had mixed reactions to the tax deductions, with some saying they were undoubtedly good and even more effective because they had more than one child in independent schools.

Another father said the situation was good because his daughter was in kindergarten and the fees were not too high, so the tax deductions covered the whole year.

“Later, however, they will go up to about €4,000 per annum and possibly more, since things are constantly rising. In that case, the deductions would not make much of a difference. They would work out to the equivalent of a term’s fees.