With the approach of summer comes popular children’s camps and other activities to fill free time during the holiday months. Children’s activities can be expensive for some citizens. The Olomouc Children’s Aid Fund is trying to help with this, which can be used for school and extracurricular activities, including the aforementioned summer camps.
Parents of both elementary school and high school students can apply for a contribution from the municipal coffers. The value of the allowance is five thousand per child between the ages of 5 and 19 and can be applied for at any time during the year. “This money can be used to pay for interest groups, outdoor schools, summer camps or, for example, tutoring for entrance exams,” stated Deputy Mayor for Social Affairs Kateřina Dobrozemská (ProPir).
Who can draw from the fund?
The condition for drawing the allowance is permanent residence in Olomouc or participation in pre-school, primary or secondary education in schools in the city, as well as a household income corresponding to the entitlement to child allowance. At the end of each calendar month, the received applications are assessed by the fund commission and then submitted to the Olomouc City Council for a decision.
The money is intended only to cover direct costs related to children’s participation in school and extracurricular activities. “This fund has been operating since 2016 and we try to adapt it to the needs of families. Therefore, starting in January of this year, we have newly introduced the possibility of using contributions also to cover costs related to tutoring pupils and their preparation for entrance exams.” added Deputy Mayor for Education Viktor Tichák (Pirates).
This year, the Olomouc municipality set aside 2.5 million crowns as part of the Aid Fund. If this year’s quota is not used up, the city will probably call for funding in the middle of the year. “In exceptional cases, for example, when it comes to a child with a disability, the death of a parent or substitute family care, the granted allowance can reach up to 10,000 crowns,” added Lenka Jedličková from the city’s marketing department.
