The rising cost of school trips is placing a significant financial burden on families in French-speaking Belgium, with 41% of parents struggling to afford these outings, according to a new survey.
The Family League association has called for the implementation of a price cap on these excursions to alleviate the financial strain and ensure equitable access for all students.
The survey, conducted between May and June of this year and involving 1,881 families, revealed that a substantial number of students are unable to participate in school trips due to high costs.
On average, primary school trips cost €242, while secondary school excursions average €421. Notably, a quarter of these trips exceed €600, with some families reporting costs that exceed €1,000 per child, and in extreme cases, up to €2,300.
“Some families have had to pay much higher prices,” said the Family League. The association highlighted that these exorbitant costs can sometimes reach over €2,000 for a single child, placing an undue financial burden on many families.
The majority of school trips remain within Belgium, though 93% are conducted elsewhere in Europe, and 3% occur on other continents.
Notably, 41% of final-year primary school trips involve ski holidays. Additionally, half of the parents reported having to purchase specific materials or gear for the trips.
Furthermore, baseline costs often exclude meals and other incidental expenses, impacting 31% of surveyed families.
To mitigate these financial pressures, six in ten schools offer options such as installment payments or financial support. However, the effectiveness of these measures is contested.
The survey found that while the majority of parents view these initiatives as positive, they often fall short in covering the full cost of the trips.
Additionally, 46% of respondents were unaware of the availability of such options, and 18% reported that their schools did not provide this assistance.
In response to these challenges, the Family League is advocating for a price cap on school trips organized by French-language schools in Belgium. According to the League, 64% of parents support this initiative, while 15% remain neutral.
The proposed cap suggests limiting primary school trip costs to €527 and secondary school trip costs to €903.
The League argues that these caps, although higher than current averages, would allow schools to maintain the quality and frequency of trips while addressing the financial concerns of families.
“These relatively high amounts – higher than what parents are asking for – would allow us to continue to organise two trips per six-year cycle,” the League explained.
The proposed limits aim to balance the need for educational enrichment with financial accessibility, considering the recent increases in transportation and other related costs.
The Family League’s proposal seeks to ensure that all students, regardless of their family’s financial situation, can benefit from school trips, which are an integral part of the educational experience.
By setting a price cap, the League hopes to create a more equitable system that supports both educational quality and affordability.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
