All schools return submissions due on education renewal

Media release

7 December 2012

All schools return submissions due on education renewal

Thirty-three schools in greater Christchurch have made submissions on closures and mergers proposed by the Minister of Education.

Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary, Regional Operations, Katrina Casey, says it is really good that all schools due to have their submissions in today have returned them and they will be meticulously considered.

“Today marks an important milestone in the renewal of education in greater Christchurch, and I want to acknowledge the efforts of schools and their communities.”

Ms Casey says the 33 submissions received include two from Aranui cluster schools, who had been given until 7 March to return their submissions.

“A thorough analysis will be carried out on all aspects of the submissions, including any counter proposals suggested by schools. This will include land, buildings, demographics and effects on surrounding schools.’

“The Ministry will report to the Minister of Education in the New Year, and the Minister will also be provided with every submission in full.”

Ms Casey says the Minister intends to inform boards of her decisions from 18 February next year.

Notes for editors

• There are 215 schools across greater Christchurch

• There are 70,998 learners in the greater Christchurch area (at July 2012 excluding International fee paying students) - 1,349 are at schools proposed to close and 4,062 at schools proposed to merge.

• The Minister of Education personally visited 36 of the schools proposed for merger or closure to hear from parents, children, whanau, boards and communities.

• The consultation period was twice as long as that usually provided by local government on Annual Plans and long term Community Plans.

• The Ministry provided schools with extra support including; a Teachers Only Day, an independent facilitator to support consultation and preparation of the submission on behalf of boards of trustees, and provision for a reliever teacher one day a week.

• A dedicated taskforce has been established within the Ministry to help support schools. Former Secretary for Education Karen Sewell has been appointed as a special advisor to the Minister and the Secretary for Education, former Christchurch Boys’ High School Headmaster Trevor McIntyre has been appointed as an executive advisor, and we have appointed three advisory boards, made up of representatives from education and community organisations

• Information provided to schools to support their consultation process is available on the website www.shapingeducation.govt.nz including previous consultation documents and analysis of nearly 800 submissions.

ENDS

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