The energy crisis and the digitalisation of education are driving up pupils' school bills. As many as 65% of secondary school pupils saw costs rise compared to last school year, according to a survey by the organisation for high school pupils, Vlaamse Scholierenkoepel (VSK).
In the context of skyrocketing bills and the more digitalised education system which is contributing to this phenomenon, the VSK is recommending "an immediate freeze on school fees for the calendar year 2023."
The first observation is that there is a lot of ambiguity about the actual school fees. "However, the cost price between schools can vary a lot," said Mauro Michielsen, Chair of the Flemish pupils association. "That's why we insist on a maximum bill in secondary education."
According to Steunpunt Onderwijs Onderzoek, the cost price of a year of secondary education is €1,207 in first grade, €1,134 in second grade and €1,502 in third grade.
The second observation after the survey was that the 'digital leap' was not accompanied by a decrease in costs for expensive fill-in manuals and other printed materials.
Lastly, the third observation was that schools need to be more critical of their spending and cut unnecessary school expenses. "We as Scholierenkoepel ask that stupid school expenses be identified and avoided every year," Michielsen said.
