PRIVATE SCHOOLS IN AUSTRALIA TO INCREASE FEES

MELBOURNE, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Private schools in Australia will increase their
fees by an average of seven to eight percent, and as much as 14 per cent in some
cases, this year.

The most expensive school in the nation is Geelong Grammar in Victoria,
which this year will charge parents almost A$29,000 for a Year 12 student, a
rise of eight per cent, The Australian newspaper said.(A$1=RM2.46)

The schools charging the highest fees are independent schools, mostly
Anglican, in the states of New South Wales and Victoria.

Many of the elite schools in those states are charging more than A$20,000 a
year in Year 12.

The newspaper said schools blamed the fee rises on increases in teachers'
salaries, which account for 65 to 80 per cent of a school's costs, and increased
paperwork as a result of greater accountability and information demanded by the
Australian government.

The government has allocated A$28 billion over the next four years for
schools.

While firm numbers on whether fees have affected enrolments are not yet
available, parents are reporting that the tough economic climate is causing them
to reconsider public schools.

Some parents are paying more than A$20,000 a year to send two children to
private schools.

Government teachers in Western Australia and Victoria won large pay rises
last year, which influences the amount paid in the private sector.

Victorian teachers at the top of the scale receive an extra A$10,000, with
an annual salary of A$75,500, while new teachers were given a pay rise of A$5000
to $A51,184.
-- BERNAMA