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Calgary’s public schools have seen a huge spike in families unable to pay fees, as parents blame a combination of rising costs and the relentless economic downturn.

The Calgary Board of Education has confirmed a 58 per cent increase in families receiving fee waivers due to an inability to pay — a significant jump for a board where enrolment normally increases at only two per cent annually, officials say.

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According to CBE’s most recent data, up to $1.8 million in fees were waived in 2012-13. The following year, that number rose to $2.1 million and then jumped again with up to $3.1 million in fees being waived in 2014-15.

While the CBE says it won’t have results for the 2015-16 school year until later this fall — and data for this year won’t be available until next fall — the trend is expected to continue.

“I’m anticipating we’ll see a continued increase in fees being waived,” said Brad Grundy, chief financial officer for the CBE.