3 August 2000 Media Statement

Minister understands concerns of parents

The Associate Minister of Education, Lianne Dalziel, says she understands the concerns of parents of children with special needs since the Wylie Review was made public on Tuesday, but that no decisions will be made without continued discussion.

"The parents have been, and will continue to be, part of the process of developing policy on special education. These recommendations have been received by me and the Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard, and they will be built into options for the Government to consider," Lianne Dalziel said.

She said that some of the recommendations are more urgent than others, and, where practical, the Government would look at implementing changes in time for the 2001 school year.

"But with all of the options being looked at, I want to reassure parents that their views are being heard," she said.

A few parents have been concerned about the recommendation of disbanding the Specialist Education Services (SES) and replacing it with a national network of district support and resource centres.

"There is absolutely no way this Government would leave parents with no support. In fact, we want to strengthen support for families," Lianne Dalziel said.

Copies of the Wylie Review are available from the Government website, which is at www.executive.govt.nz

ENDS

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