29 May 2013

Chch school closure decision worse than expected

The Government’s decision to push ahead with a number of school closures in Christchurch will cause more heartbreak for children and their parents still suffering the after-effects of the Christchurch earthquakes, Green Party Co-leader Metiria Turei said today.

Education Minister Hekia Parata today announced final decisions for 16 Christchurch schools and two new proposals for three other schools. Today’s final decision means that seven schools will close and six schools will merge.

“School closures and mergers should only be used as an absolute last resort,” Mrs Turei said.

“Unfortunately, the suspicion throughout this process is that the Government always intended to push through more mergers and closures than was absolutely necessary.

“It is good news that a small number of schools, including the kura kaupapa, got a reprieve from Education Minister Hekia Parata. These schools and communities will have faced a very stressful time however with the threat of closure hanging over them for months.

“Overall the Government’s decision to close smaller schools, and merge others will create more uncertainty and stress for the affected children and their parents.

“The people of Christchurch should not be used as guinea pigs while the National Government tweaks New Zealand’s education system,” said Mrs Tūrei.

“Closing three intermediate schools will severely limit the choices available to parents in Christchurch as to where to send their children.

“For a Government big on claiming they stand for choice this is an odd decision.

“Instead of investing in charter schools, National should have been pulling out all the stops to keep good state schools going and keeping Christchurch communities together.”

The Green Party considers that despite the earthquake damage many of the schools could have remained open.

“Today’s decision is also disappointing as it comes before the Ombudsman’s report regarding the Christchurch School closure process is released,” Mrs Turei said.

“For those schools facing closure, any future decision by the Ombudsman regarding the Government’s processes will be cold comfort with their school and community gone.”

ENDS

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