QUEENSLAND mother of four, Cindy Bogan, has taken to Facebook to bring attention to the cost involved in sending her children to school in the public system this year.

While politicians are claiming hundreds of thousands of dollars in unspecified ‘office expenses’, parents like Cindy are being sent home letters with book lists that include requests for ‘whiteboard markers’ for the class teacher, reports Kidspot.

Alongside an image of her receipt for $578 — which Cindy says covers just the basics — Cindy explains that there are many more expenses that parents incur, and given the Governments School Kids Bonus Scheme has now been scrapped, she wonders how any Australian family could possibly afford to come up with it all.

In her post, which has been shared nearly 2000 times, Cindy writes:

“This is not including the $300 for COMPULSORY uniforms. That’s not including $150 for COMPULSORY footwear. That’s not including $150 on SUSTAINABLE backpacks to last more than 1 school term. And lastly, that’s not including the $440 combined total for the School Resource Scheme — which seeing as I have had to provide the A4 paper and tissues — I am unsure what this scheme even covers anymore!”

If you think her list is extreme, it’s not actually that uncommon. Cindy’s is not the only school asking for help to cover classroom costs either:

With no School Kids Bonus, parents are 100% out of pocket

As of July last year, parents will no longer receive the assistance offered by the School Kids Bonus scheme. The scheme saw eligible families paid:

* 2 instalments of $215 for each child in primary school — a total of $430 for the year

* 2 instalments of $428 for each child in secondary school — a total of $856 for the year

That’s a huge chunk of money gone from already tightly-squeezed budgets. A sting made worse by the recent revelations of taxpayer-funded junkets and bonuses for already well-paid politicians.

And it’s not just parents feeling this sting.

‘I spent over $4000 in my first year of teaching’

While parents are right to feel ripped off, the contributions they are being asked to make barely scrape the surface according to the teachers Kidspot spoke to.

Jodie, a kindergarten teacher claims her first year of teaching set her back somewhere to the tune of $4000.

“Even considering what I have already spent, I could have spent lots more to make the classroom a better and more efficient classroom environment for the kids, but I have to draw the line somewhere,” says Jodie.

“You should be able to get some stationery and art supplies from the school ‘resource room’, but usually there’s so much red tape it’s just easier to buy it yourself.” she says.

And all of the books, readers, dice, rods and counters etc that you’ll find in your child’s classroom? Chances are that it was a teacher who paid for them.

“Lots of money — and time — goes to visuals. Reading books, activities, games, puzzles, rewards, stickers and stamps of course, awards, art/craft supplies, cleaning products, stationery,” says Jodie says.

“I’ve bought a fish tank and fish for a science unit which cost me $300, and I know a teacher who bought a portable air conditioner,”

Penny is a high school teacher in the Catholic system where she says resources are scarce too.

“I once paid over $300 for materials for a claymation project with a year 8 English class. The program was set and we had to teach it, but the budget didn’t stretch to actually providing us with the materials.”

Karina — a high school TAC teacher — wonders where the private jets and helicopters are for all of the fundraising and charity events that teachers attend during a regular school year — none of which were at the Melbourne Cup or Grand Final.

“I get a small budget for career ed, which only covers a couple of subscriptions to information services. But I have to pay for my own stationery, whiteboard markers, software updates, subscriptions to online software etc,” she explains.

“But on top of that there is the expense of any travel associated with Career Advisor days, Tertiary Provider information days and of course all of the conferences and camps. Not to mention all the charities and fundraising that we contribute to over the course of the year.”

“We have a weekly budget — 50 copies a week. If we go over we’re cut off for the rest of the week. That includes printing. So I obviously do most of my own printing and copying at home on my own dime too.” says Penny.

High schoolteacher Danielle says that at her ‘paperless’ school, teachers have taken to hiding printers under their desks.

“The photocopy budget is set ridiculously low, we’re talking a few class sets a semester (if that) because we are meant to be using functioning technology. The students are expected to bring their share in a BYOD scheme (Bring Your Own Device). So when the students show up with no device teachers need to fall back on paper and pens (yes, pens too). This results in teachers hiding contraband printers under their desks, simply so that they can do their job.” says Danielle.

Sean, a high school maths teacher sees red at the fact that he, on a teachers salary, is paying for so much himself, while politicians, on a much better wicket are getting freebies left, right and centre.

“I buy most of my whiteboard markers, my own computer (because the ones we’re given are rubbish), some of my own texts, quite a few resources (maths games etc), cardboard/paper for constructions/posters. You name it, I pretty much pay for it. They let us photocopy but we even get hassled if we spend too much on that.” he says.

This article originally appeared on Kidspot.