The letter says the bishops are "mindful of the challenges many people in our community are facing" and "understand the anxiety for parents and caregivers created by a loss of employment or other challenges of caring for children at home."

It says work is being done to ensure the community is supported during this period, and that students are not further challenged by a need to look for a new school as a result of financial hardship.

Here is the letter:

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops have been mindful of the challenges many people in our community are facing during the Covid-19 crisis.

We understand the anxiety for parents and caregivers created by a loss of employment or other challenges of caring for children at home during this lockdown.

Our schools offer strong pastoral care, which is the foundation of our Catholic faith and is particularly important in times of upheaval, such as when many educators and students are having to adjust to distance learning.

We want to ensure all those currently enrolled in Catholic schools are able to remain at their school of choice.

The New Zealand Catholic Education Office and our Diocesan leadership teams have given Catholic school Proprietors an appraisal of the challenges parents are likely to face as a result of the impacts of Covid-19.

They are looking at ways we can support the cost of attendance dues for parents who have a loss of income or other hardship.

Work is being done to ensure that our community is supported during this period and that students are not further challenged by a need to look for a new school as a result of financial hardship.

We remember Catholic school families, staff and communities in our prayers, and commend you all for your creative and faith-filled response during this time.

We are inspired by how schools have worked to ensure the continued learning and spiritual formation of students. We look forward to continuing to support our community to remain part of the Catholic Education family

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"These facts were pointed out to the Prime Minister, Education Minister and Education secretary in a letter from the Catholic Bishops Heads of Catholic Agency schools in July last year," Jennings said.

He said Peter O'Neill had directed the Education Minister Nick Kuman and secretary Dr Uke Kombra to respond to the Bishops' concerns. "So far there has been no response," he said.

Jennings said that such disregard for the Catholic Bishops and Education agencies which they lead and educates more than 25 per cent of children, was one reason for going public.

The National Catholic Education Board took out paid advertisement in the newspapers in February to clarify its stand on current confusion about school fees.

"It's about finding the best legal way to educate our children," says Bomai D Witne a lecturer in Political Science at the University of Goroka.

"There are several underlying issues which we believe the general public needs to understand in the current confusion about school fees."

"The government's policy is well-intended and should be seen as heavily subsidising tuition fees, which does leave some responsibility for tuition fees with the parents."

"But this is not the case now. The government wants to pay full fees and has told parents to ensure this direction is complied with by schools."

"Since its inception the tuition fee free policy has placed schools under stress. Some of the best schools in the country, which were held in high esteem, are no longer excellent as a result of the policy."

Kuman has directed school not to accept any money from parents.

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