Minister of Education Trevor Mallard today announced the approval of two Study Support Centres in Wellington City specifically for the Ethiopian and Oromo communities.

"Other Study Support Centres already exist in the Wellington region but these new centres will help reach out to different groups of children," Trevor Mallard said.

"It's great to see these centres starting up. They give children of ethnic groups new to the country a culturally supportive environment outside of school where they can work on basic English language, literacy and numeracy."

More than 150 Study Support Centres have been opened across the country this year with great success. The two new centres in Wellington will receive $10,000 funding, and will provide qualified supervision and access to information technology.

Associate Education Minister and Wellington Central MP, Marian Hobbs, welcomed the announcement.

"These children often face similar challenges adapting to a new school system and attending one of these centres can help the process of acclimatisation, while also providing a place where they can keep in touch with the language and traditions of their home countries.

"Even by providing children with something to eat and drink after school, these centres can make all the difference to children's study habits. A study support centre provides both a good physical environment and qualified help," Marian Hobbs said.

Ends

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