Fees for Learning Materials and Activities Regulation

• View the Fees for Learning Materials and Activities Regulation (PDF)

Application of Policy

Schools are required to develop strategies that recognize and reduce barriers to participation and work to effectively include all students in programs and activities. Successful completion of a grade or course required for graduation cannot be dependent on the payment of any course fee. 

The fees outlined in this policy are for the costs of materials and activities for enhanced or optional elementary and secondary programming. It does not include tuition fees for visa students, international students, First Nations students attending pursuant to a tuition agreement, or adult or continuing education students. Nor do they include fees for early learning programs offered outside the regular school day or other before or after school programs. 

Fees may not be charged for: 

• Registration or administration for students enrolled in any regular day school program; 
• Textbooks or textbook deposits (excluding Continuing Education);
• Learning materials that are required for completion of the curriculum such as, but not limited to, workbooks, cahiers, musical instruments, science supplies, lab material kits and safety goggles; 
• The creation of discretionary accounts by teachers or departments; 
• Any course leading to graduation other than optional programming; 
• A guest speaker, visiting teacher, or in-class field trip or presentation where the material being presented is a mandatory element of the subject or course; 
• Items that are funded through the allocated budget of a school board including, but not limited to, learning materials necessary to meet learning expectations such as computers, workbooks, textbooks, staff development and training costs; or 
• Learning materials that are required to meet the learning expectations of the course, but areconsumed by the pupil and cannot be used again by another student in the next semester. 

Fees may be charged for: 

• Optional programming; 
• Extracurricular trips, events or activities that are extensions to the curriculum and not required for graduation; 
• Extended student study tours or excursions that are not necessary to meet the learning expectations of a particular grade or course;
• Optional art or music supplies or higher-quality woodworking, design or technology materials that students choose to use for course completion, as long as the required materials are available at no cost; 
• Student activity fees such as, but not limited to, student agendas, yearbooks, optional field trips; 
• Co-curricular activities, special events, program enhancements or field trips including, but not limited to, the costs of participation, rental of equipment or travel, if alternative programming and assignments are offered to students who choose not to participate.

Optional Programming

Optional programming refers to voluntary courses or optional activities that students choose to attend or take part in, with the knowledge that these programs are beyond the core curriculum. (Definition adapted from the Ministry of Education Fees for Learning Materials and Activities Guideline)