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Staff and children feeling threatened by pupils
Staff and children feeling threatened by pupils in Te Tai Tokerau Schools
14% of principals in Te Tai Tokerau Primary Schools state that the lack of resourcing for special education and behaviour, is so great, that it is causing real stress and concern, for the safety of staff and other children
Whangarei, August 14, 2015: The Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association has just conducted a survey around Special Education and Behavioral concerns within their schools. Over 100 principals responded.
• 51% of principals responded that either the lack of appropriate resourcing or the lack of help from outside agencies, were the biggest cause of concern for them, when dealing with special needs or behaviorally challenging pupils.
• The results are damning!” said Pat Newman President of Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association. ”For far too long schools, principals’ teachers and boards have been blamed for the problems encountered by our students. We are not miracle workers, able to get blood out of a stone. There is a limit to what any teacher or school can achieve. Before Te Tai Tokerau Schools continue to be blamed for supposedly underperforming, before money is used for ideas like “flags” and other ideas whose origins come from some politicians political ideology, the real need is to actually resource adequately the huge and growing problem in the north, particularly around behaviorally challenging pupils”. It is now a health and safety issue.
• SWe are told that the North is recognized as an area in need. Those of us working here have known this for years, and have constantly told Wellington to no avail. Increases in funding have been more about patching up a sinking ship, than covering the real needs.
• The extra $129000 given to the failing Charter School at Whangururu, would have for instance funded over 7000 hours of paraprofessional support for special education and behaviour throughout Te Tai Tokerau, so don’t tell me there is no money available. It’s obviously there when it suits
• The survey results show that schools in Te Tai Tokerau should be applauded for the success they have managed to achieve, with insufficient resourcing over decades.
• 28. What is your biggest/main concern/problem? I only ask for the one biggest not all.
| Top 9 Responses | Percentage | ||
| Lack of appropriate resourcing for Special Needs | 35% | ||
| Hard getting help from outside agencies | 16% | ||
| Support for Behavioural problems- stress – safety | 14% | ||
| Increasing aggression of young children NE - J1 | 7% | ||
| Still training with PB 4L needed with whanau involvement | 5% | ||
| Small School staff funding big % with severe needs | 5% | ||
| Lack of support from whanau re behaviour | 5% | ||
| Effects -Poverty-home violence-socioeconomics on children | 4% | ||
| Massive numbers % of children needing extra help | 4% | ||
| Other Responses | 6% | ||
| Total | 100% |
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