Drought affected farmers who are unable to afford school fees are having to decide which of their children to remove from boarding schools, the Isolated Children’s Parents’ Association says.
Wendy Hick, president of the ICPA, said parents are often forced to choose the most viable child to continue with their education while others are brought home to help out on the farm, which often means the end of their secondary schooling.
The ICPA said while assistance schemes such as the Farm Household Allowance are helpful, a rural hardship education fund should be put in place permanently.