Volunteer Program     | Main  | About  | Programs  | Volunteering  | Magazine  | Donate | Local Volunteers Receiving help to secondary studies How much does it cost to send children to high school or secondary school (“colegio”) per one year? When children finishes primary school (between 11 and 12 years of age), they are able to continue their studies at secondary school, which involves travelling to main town of the local canton or to the Capital of the province. Most of the students attend secondary schools run by the state but only few of the best students are able to obtain a grant or an scholarship. Others attend private schools, which are generally more expensive. New gouvernment has declared that education is free but only the registration fees and some few books are free. All other expenses are in charge of the student For the year 2009 - 2010 the cost of sending a child to a state secondary school during the school year is: Everyday uniform US$ 25 Everyday shoes US$ 14 Sports gear US$ 36 Overall US$ 12 Parade uniform (after the second year of secondary school) US$ 26 Back pack US$ 13 Total cost of uniforms US$ 126   Daily lunch ($0.50/day X 200 days in the year) US$ 100 Daily transport ($0.20/day X 200 days in the year) US$ 40 Daily money asked by teachers for photocopies ($0.20/day X 200 days in the year) US$ 40 ocational money asked by teacher for special events as camp days, ceremonies, visits, support to school projects ($5 X 20 times in the year) US$ 100 Total daily and special expenses per year US$ 280   Books US$ 54 Stationery US$ 25 Total books and stationery US$ 79   Health exam and photos for registration US$ 13 Registration free Special gift to the school or special party at the end of the year US$ 15 Total administration costs US$ 28   TOTAL YEARLY COST US$ 513 uniforms Apartado Postal 1801-1400 Ambato, ECUADOR E-MAIL: voccidente@hotmail.com director@voluntariosdeoccidente.org designed and produced by MATYGA January 2010