Poverty hurting our kids’ education
Nanaia MAHUTA
Education
Spokesperson
23
September
2012
MEDIA STATEMENT
Poverty
hurting our kids’ education
"Far too
many Kiwi kids are living in poverty and new research has
confirmed their health and educational outcomes will suffer
as a result,” says Labour’s Education spokesperson
Nanaia Mahuta.
A University of Otago study using
seven years of longitudinal survey data shows that the
longer children are living in poor households the more
vulnerable they are to poor social and health
outcomes.
"The sad reality is that far too many
Maori and Pasifika children are affected by poverty and a
sure sign in our schools is kids not having lunch or unable
to concentrate because they are hungry.
"Labour
will work alongside community groups to tackle this issue
because we believe that all children should get the best
possible start at school. Education is an investment in
our future, and creates a lifetime of
opportunities.
"I want to encourage principals,
parents and community groups to engage with the submission
process on the Expert Advisory Group for the Children's
Commission - Solutions to Poverty
Report.
"Submissions are being received until the
12th of October, and you can forward your views to: childpoverty@occ.org.nz
or at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/child_poverty
"Our
future as a country relies on our ability to give all
children the very best opportunity through education. They
deserve nothing less than the world’s best education,”
says Nanaia
Mahuta.
ENDS