Private school thumbs its nose at ERO requirements

19 February 2007

Media Release:

Private school thumbs its nose at ERO requirements

QPEC has emailed the Minister of Education this morning demanding action be taken against Wainuiomata Christian College which has refused to answer questions from ERO about corporal punishment at the school.

The latest ERO report for the school - dated 18 December 2006 says in part -

"The principal and board have declined to assure ERO that corporal punishment is not administered in the school. ERO is therefore unable to be assured that the school is satisfying the requirements in this respect"

Corporal punishment is prohibited in all schools under Section 139A of the 1989 Education Act but this school is thumbing its nose at the law.

If this were a public school refusing to provide information to ERO there would be a ministerial outcry.

Private schools receive $40 million in government funding each year and Wainuiomata Christian College would receive more than $100,000. This money should be withdrawn from the school.

Despite receiving substantial government funding private schools have minimal ERO oversight and much lower standards of compliance have been set for them. Despite this Wainuiomata Christian College can't meet even minimal requirements for a non-violent school environment.

The school should comply with the law or be closed down.

Ends

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