That's the kids heading off on their school trip to Buenos Aires.

OPINION: Noumea, Australia and Buenos Aires: Sounds like the itinerary of a wealthy retiree. It isn't.



They are the options for school trips at my daughter's intermediate school.

It's a great state school, and my daughter's thriving there, but that's a profoundly challenging list of school trip options for a whole number of reasons, including financial ones.

Price tags start around $2500, and end much higher.

HOUSE OF TRAVEL The arguments for doing big overseas trips are that schools are raising children to be global citizens.

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Education these days doesn't come cheap, but the rise in what British and Australian newspapers dub "mega trips" in schools has sparked furious debate about things getting out of hand.

There's no doubt in my mind that school trips are a rite of passage for kids.

123RF The lure of the Outback is strong.

It's a great growing experience for them to be away from their pesky, opinionated parents for a week, but there's a price point beyond which schools should not stray, no matter how posh the suburb.

School camp trips, costing a couple of hundred dollars, provide a similar, largely affordable option for schools.



School camps get children out into their own country, which is particularly good for townie children, and not bad for local economies.



They are also fairly democratic. They may put a strain on, but don't break family budgets.

Nearly everyone can participate in camp trips, which is clearly not the case with trips to other countries.

SUPPLIED The price tag for school trips to Noumea and other places is well out reach for many families.

My daughter's school is doing school camps near Rotorua, meaning families don't have to feel too badly about not sending their children to Argentina.

The arguments for doing big overseas trips are that schools are raising children to be global citizens, and that "EOTC" or "education outside the classroom" is now part of schools' remit.

This is not an entirely new idea, though really, those able to afford these overseas trips probably already travel overseas as families.

I was raised in England, and went overseas on two school trips, one to France, and one to Italy. Most of my friends went to the first. Fewer went to the second.

In our society, wealth is spread unevenly.

Most days at school that doesn't matter so much, but, let's face it, overseas trips are divisive because only rich kids, or parents willing to live in debt for longer, can afford them.

Both my youthful trips away were great, and I would like to provide at least one similar experience for each of my girls, but let's be clear.

If I end up doing so, it will be a pure luxury purchase, in the same vein as buying a high end TV, a spa pool, or more car than the family needs.

Like all nice-to-have experiences for children, parents should see school trips for what they are, and not feel guilty if other things take priority.

Families only have so much money, and have to balance the luxuries with the long-term prospering (paying off the mortgage fast/saving/investing).

Children understand if the family budget does not stretch to every luxury they'd like.

My belief is they often know a lot more about the state of family finances than parents give them credit for.

Should schools be in the business of encouraging luxury spending on overseas trips?

In the UK and Australia, the debate was fierce, and became a touchstone for nations concerned about the divide between the "haves" and the "have nots".

I certainly had some strong feelings when I was presented with the options by my daughter.

GOLDEN RULES:

* Distinguish needs from wants

* Make choices that work for your family

* Be open about money with children