Lack of school funding pressuring poor communities

Lack of school funding placing pressure on poorer communities

Alliance Party media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday 20 April 2009

Alliance Party education spokesperson Richard Mitchell says that it comes as no surprise that funding has been identified as the single biggest issue by parents, teachers, principals and school boards in a recent NZCER report.

"The Alliance says it is offensive and wrong that under-funded state schools have to pressure parents to pay 'voluntary' donations."

Mr Mitchell says schools are desperate for further funding and are forced to increase the 'voluntary' amounts they ask for from often struggling parents.

He says this highlights how the New Zealand government is underfunding schools.

"This forces poor communities to pick up more and more of the burden."

Mr Mitchell says if New Zealand is to have a free education system, funded by the community, then the Government must be prepared to invest heavily.

The achieve this, the Alliance proposes a progressive taxation system and education priorities aimed at a completely free education system funded by the community, with maximum class sizes of 20.

ENDS

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