Basic school supplies increasingly paid for by parents

PARENTS in Edinburgh say they are increasingly being asked to raise funds for school essentials such as jotters and desks.

The Edinburgh Parent Councils Network (EPCN) estimates it contributes between 4 million and 7m a year in fundraising and their time.

It says there is a danger parents will withdraw support if they feel they are being used to bail out government.

The claim emerged after the Scottish Parent Teacher Council (SPTC) published a survey last week showing parents were under pressure to pay for core materials such as books and white boards.

Their survey estimated parents contribute 6.5m in fundraising alone.

Gavin Corbett, of Craiglockhart Primary's parent council and the EPCN, said parents contribute millions through time spent running clubs, sitting on parent councils, and doing school jobs for free such as running libraries.

"In our network, which has around 80 schools, parents are paying for jotters, chairs and basic equipment," he said.

"Parents would like to pay for added-value stuff like enhancing the school playground but this is all bread-and-butter stuff.

"If parents start feeling they are being used there is a danger of killing the goose that lays the golden egg."

However, education secretary Michael Russell said parents should not have to pay for school essentials.

He said: "The generosity of Scottish parents in their willingness to contribute to fundraising drives in schools is well known and helps to pay for valuable extras.

"The Scottish Government is giving more funding and an increased share of the budget to councils.

"Parents should not be having to supplement resources. The money they contribute should be providing extras to improve the experiences of pupils."