New Zealand Parents Needed Government Help with School Uniforms

Thursday 12th of August 2010 08:18:07 PM

New Zealand parents needed more government help this year paying for children’s uniforms than they have needed in the past. The government had to help parents buy uniforms, paper, and school supplies and pay school fees. Parents applied for more than $6.3 million according to nzherald.co.nz. Though this figure is growing yet again in 2010, the fact is that it has been increasing steadily over the last 10 years.

The Ministry of Social Development approves advanced payment of benefits to families based on income. The payment goes to Work and Income clients who need help paying for school essentials. The funds are not taxed and no interest is charged. But the funds must also be paid back because it is considered to be an emergency loan. This means the families unable to buy school uniforms are now in debt to the government.

The problem is that households are cash strapped due to high unemployment. There is another problem looming too. On October 1, GST increases. So families who can’t afford school uniforms and supplies now will be faced with even higher expenses. This has clearly upset some parents who wonder how they will possibly manage. There is some grant money available which doesn’t have to be paid back, but availability is limited. This year there was almost $275,000 distributed as grants.

The pressure that New Zealand parents are feeling is the same pressure other families are feeling in Europe and the United States. Some people wonder what is going to happen when one day households say they simply cannot afford to buy the school supplies. Will the government properly fund schools at that point? Time will tell. In the meantime, if anyone in your family wears uniforms or printed t-shirts to school or work, be sure to check online. That’s where you will find the best deals around.

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