Christchurch Parents Denied Access to Intermediate Education

Christchurch Parents Denied Access to Intermediate Education

Christchurch parents will have significantly reduced options for intermediate education for their children under the Government’s plans for the future of education in Christchurch.

President of New Zealand Association of Intermediate and Middle Schooling, Ross Tyson says that from the end of this year, three out of 11 intermediate schools in the greater Christchurch area will be closing and this means that there will be a 27 percent reduction of parental choice for children to receive an intermediate education.

“The closure of Manning, Linwood and Branston Intermediate Schools is concerning because high school may be the only option for many children.

“We are very concerned that the high schools will not have the capacity to educate these students with such short notice.”

He says this could mean substandard accommodation and learning facilities as has happened in the past.

“For instance, when Putaruru Intermediate was forced to close and their students attend Putaruru College, students spent years in old prefabs.”

“The Minister of Education quite rightly wants students taught in a modern learning environment but how will this be achieved if students are in prefabricated buildings?

“We believe that Christchurch parents and their children have already suffered enough. While we appreciate the need for change, it’s vital that we don’t compromise the learning needs of these emerging adolescents.”

He says the events of the last two years now provide a golden opportunity to fulfil the NZ Curriculum’s Year 7-10 Learning Pathway and follow the best practices associated with our Middle School Learner.

“Let’s take stock, use relevant research and embrace the philosophy of “quality teaching for quality learning” in the best possible environment.

“Tacking intermediate children on to a high school won’t do it. A year 7-10 middle school may”

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