Are add-ons for grade-six graduation necessary?

THE EDITOR, Madam:

Recently I saw a list of items for students graduating from Grade Six. I was astonished to see some of the items – photograph, a keep sake (personalised water bottle), plaque and corsage. These are in addition to the class photo, certificate holder, school leaving certificate, programme, rental of gowns which are legitimate charges. The total charge is $18,000.

I am concerned that schools are putting parents to unnecessary expense for a child graduating from 6th grade. Many of these parents are struggling financially to pay for basics expenses – bus or taxi fares and lunch money. Additionally, these are students who recently wrote PEP exams, and whose parents would have paid for extra lessons.

The Ministry of Education needs to investigate these charges to determine what can be considered essential charges and what are unnecessary “fluff”.

CONCERNED PARENT