No doubt, the budget has been a boost to many families, including those who will be getting children’s allowance for the first time in many years.

One measure I was expecting however did not come about.

Parents who send their children to private schools have the fees that they pay for tuition deducted for income tax purposes, up to a certain limit.

Now, parents who send their children to Church schools also pay for their kids’ education, but this is not called “a fee” but “a donation”. Still, these parents are paying to maintain Church schools open.

Would it not be fair for such donations to be deducted for income tax purposes? The parents of children who go to Church schools pay taxes to sustain government schools they are not using just as much as the parents of children in private schools are doing.

So why is there a distinction between the two?

I do suggest that, next time round, the government, whoever that may be, considers this. After all, it might encourage parents to give more.

P. Camilleri

Sliema