Aussie reforms signal trouble ahead for school funding plan
Grant Robertson
MP for Wellington
Central
Acting Education Spokesperson
MEDIA STATEMENT
June 22 2016
Aussie reforms signal trouble ahead for school funding plan
Plans by the Government to return to bulk funding are likely to see increased class sizes and schools most in need missing out on much-needed resources, Labour’s Acting Education spokesperson Grant Robertson says.
“The signalled return to bulk funding is a worrying development.
“The so-called ‘global budget’ means each school would decide how much of their funding would be used for expenses and how much would go on staff.
“The Government’s plan replicates the approach taken by Western Australia, which has led to larger classes for some and others most in need of funding missing out.
“New Zealand parents resoundingly rejected Hekia Parata’s call for increased classes in 2012, forcing the Government into an embarrassing back down. She can’t surely be looking for another fight.
“Schools are already under financial strain, with this latest proposal coming on top of a freeze on operational funding.
“Meanwhile parents are forking out more and more in ‘voluntary’ donations, which are increasing at 10 times the rate of inflation.
“Ms Parata has some explaining to do about how exactly this new plan will benefit our kids and our teachers,” Grant Robertson said.
ends