David Seymour
Under-Secretary to the Minister of Education
8 December 2015
Strong iwi support for Partnership Schools expansion

Today Sir Toby Curtis reiterated the Iwi Chairs Forum’s support for the continued expansion of the Partnership Schools | Kura Hourua policy.

“Sir Toby confirmed to me, the Minister of Education, and the Minister of Finance this morning that iwi leaders continue to support Partnership Schools,” Under-Secretary to the Minister of Education David Seymour says.

“This comes off the back of a very strong response to the current application round, in which the majority of the 26 applicants were Māori-led community groups.

“The support of this policy from Māori community leaders and iwi groups is a big indicator of the potential benefit Partnership Schools can provide for students who are not succeeding in the state system – many of whom are Māori and Pasifika.”

“The number and high calibre of applicants shows the enormous potential of Partnership Schools, and the capacity for many more to open,” Sir Toby Curtis says.

“Funding was set aside in this year’s Budget for two more of these schools to open, but I believe there is enough interest to see up to eight schools open in 2017.”

ends

© Scoop Media