A NURSERY school in Australia has faced furious outrage from parents after charging £1,000 for their toddlers’ paintings and drawings.
The scandal has reached the highest office levels in the state, with Queensland’s premier blasting it as “emotional blackmail”.
The scandal has reached the highest office levels in the state[/caption]
Craigslea Community Kindergarten and Preschool said the money was needed to clear unpaid bills[/caption]
The Department for Education said last week the artwork had been retrieved from the kindergarten[/caption]
Craigslea Community Kindergarten and Preschool, which is north of Brisbane, said the money was needed to clear unpaid bills.
But the move has provoked mass backlash among families.
Cops are even investigating an alleged overnight theft of one piece of a kid’s artwork.
It comes after a brewing row between parents and the school led to the resignation of its president.
Treasurer Thomas D’Souza controversially overhauled the institution, firing a number of teachers and replacing them with temporary staff.
Parents at the school complained that D’Souza was the sole board member, although he denied this.
Creche and Kindergarten Association eventually pulled the school’s funding.
Authorities have now launched an investigation into its management.
Parents received an email on Sunday that the The A Current Affair programme reported had said: “It is our turn to talk.”
It said the school could not afford to pay its debts and was going to enter voluntary administration.
This was followed up by another message saying that their children’s art portfolios would be sold for 2,200 Australian dollars (£1,000).
It added: “If you are opposed to the committee using the portfolios as a $2,200 per piece fundraiser to make up for the $40,314 owing to teachers, please complete the below.
“Where there are members that have used the separated parents’ provision for membership, both need to send it in and jointly accept the postage charge in equal parts.”
One parent told The A Current Affair: “It’s ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.
“I don’t even really have words for it.”
Another parent said: “It’s been really stressful. Everyone has been really anxious.
“We’re all trying to do our day jobs, look after our children and then strategise on what we can do to change the situation here.
“It’s been a full-time job trying to get some action.”
The controversy has been hotly debated in Queensland, with even State Premier David Crisafulli weighing in.
He called the move “un-Australian” and “wrong on so many levels”.
“I never saw any Picassos come home, that’s for sure. But they mean something to you,” he added.
“Let’s give the kids their finger-painting, and let’s get on with life.”
The Department for Education said last week the artwork had been retrieved from the kindergarten.
A spokesperson added that the parents would not be charged.
