asked the Minister for Education if she will issue a directive to all schools to ensure that moneys collected for craft classes or other similar purposes are sought directly from the parents and not from children whose parents' poverty can be made a source of ridicule and embarrassment before their classmates.
Written Answers. - Schools Craft Classes Costs.
49.
Under the Rules for National Schools no charge may be levied on parents for purposes connected with normal school operation.
It is a fundamental principle of the free post-primary education scheme that no charge be made in respect of: (1) instruction in any subject listed in the general school programme; (2) recreation or study facilities of which all pupils are expected to avail themselves as part of the school programme; (3) any other activity in which all pupils are required to take part.
Charges for optional extras over and above what is provided for in the general school programme are permissable under the scheme provided it is made absolutely clear that participation is not compulsory. The charges referred to in the question would appear to come under this category. The method of collection of such charges is a matter for the authorities of the schools, but I would expect that sensitivity be shown to the circumstances of individual pupils on this regard. I do not believe that a directive to this effect is called for.