(Photo: Nanango Electorate Office)
March 15, 2017
When Esther Kinyanjui approached Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington to help her son Edwin get back into school, the local MP realised urgent action was needed.
Mrs Frecklington took up the fight for Edwin, a student of Kingaroy State High School, after his mother was told by the Education Department in Brisbane that he could no longer attend school unless she paid her international student fees upfront.
“Mrs Kinyanjui moved to Kingaroy from South Australia early in 2017 to take up work as a registered nurse, and Edwin began Year 10 school at Kingaroy State High School this year,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“However, Mrs Kinyanjui was hit with a massive $9500 bill for his school fees which she was told she had to pay upfront, otherwise, he could not come to school.
“Edwin is a very bright student who loves school and both he and his mum were devastated.”
Mrs Kinyanjui was willing to pay the bill in instalments but the Education Department wouldn’t allow it.
“A young person must be able to go to school, so I immediately wrote to the Minister for Education (Kate Jones) asking for Edwin to be able to return to school while an outcome could be negotiated,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“It was a Parliament week, so I also took the opportunity to speak directly to the Minister about Edwin’s case.
“It took a further three weeks but we were able to get Edwin back to school.
“It was wonderful to meet with him and his mum and talk about his bright future.
“The family are from Kenya originally and are looking for a new start here in Kingaroy. I wish them all the best and I know Kingaroy will offer a warm welcome to them both as they start their future together in this great part of the world.”
Thank you Deb for taking up this cause – apparently with some success. I find it unbelievable that someone can be an approved migrant, filling an “in demand” qualified postion and paying taxes and yet being faced with a demand like this. Unreasonable is an understatement. I would be happy to contribute to a crowd funding account and wish Esther and Edwin well as they settle into the South Burnett.
I cannot believe this. Is this normal? Surely fees like these are not legal. The woman is a contributing member of the community so surely the same fees should apply as any other student at the school. I hope she doesn’t really have to pay such a ridiculously exorbitant amount.
I agree. This woman earns money and pays taxes, and while she’s doing this in Australia her children should be entitled to free primary and secondary education. Taking $9500 out of her after-tax wages means she is getting paid substantially less to do her job than Australian citizens doing the same work, and that’s unjust – to her, and to her child. But good on you, Deb, for stepping in to help.