PARENTS are increasingly being charged for basic materials in school subjects such as art, drama and home economics, experts have warned.

Poverty campaigners said the practice proved a state school education was no longer “free” - with charges even forcing pupils from poorer families to drop subjects.

The concerns were raised during an evidence session held by the Scottish Parliament’s education committee, which is looking at the impact of poverty on pupil performance.

Earlier this month it emerged from evidence to the inquiry that teachers are using their own money to buy food and clothes for some poverty-stricken pupils.

The NASUWT teachers’ union said a survey of Scottish school staff in 2016 showed 81 per cent had noticed at least some pupils attending classes without the correct equipment.

Read more: Teachers buying food and clothing for pupils

One staff member told the inquiry they had bought Christmas dinner and gifts for a family.

John Dickie, director of the Child Poverty Action Group in Scotland, told the committee: “The reality is that too often education isn’t free, what’s offered in school isn’t free, pupils and families are being charged for it.”

He said research in Glasgow and Dundee - as well as other local authorities - found materials for courses were being charged for, particularly in home economics, art and design, technical studies and for theatre trips in English and drama courses.

Committee convener James Dornan asked: “Charging for Curriculum for Excellence stuff, is that common?”

Read more: Clear evidence growing up in poverty undermines attainment

Mr Dickie said it was, adding: “There is real evidence of young people actually making subject choices influenced by cost.”

He said the extent to which pupils are offered help with costs or are “left behind” vary across the country and praised some schools and local authorities which scrapped costs and had since reported increased participation for the subjects affected.

“No question about it, pupils, families are being charged,” he said.

“There’s two things: pupils are actually missing out on those subjects, not being able to participate, or their ability to enjoy those subjects, knowing that is causing a stress for them and their families to participate, is diminished.”

He added: “What do we need to put in place to ensure that wherever you live in Scotland actually we’ve got a clear understanding of what is the core curriculum, what it is that schools should offer to every young person and we ensure that there is no financial barrier, and that is free to all pupils?”

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Eileen Prior, executive director of parent body Connect, backed the concerns.

She said: “As pupils get older they self regulate because they will only choose subjects where they know the family will not be faced with additional bills.

“Provision of materials has been a growing issue and we hear of pupils even being asked to pay for photocopied resources that should be free because they are part of the course material.

“We think of the education as free, but it is far from it and there are all sorts of other costs associated with subjects such as PE in terms of kit which can be monstrously expensive unless schools make a real effort.”

Joanna Murphy, chairwoman of the National Parent Forum of Scotland, added: “Children shouldn’t be choosing subjects based on what materials they will need to pay for or trips that will be involved that cost money, but schools have little choice with the massive budget cuts they face.

“If schools communicate well and regularly with parents on things that will cost money then at least families can budget and plan ahead to make things more possible.”