Feds Supports Rural Schools Isolation Index

Friday, 15 October 1999, 9:22 am
Press Release: Alastair Thompson

14 October 1999

PR109/99

FEDERATED FARMERS GIVES QUALIFIED SUPPORT TO RURAL SCHOOLS ISOLATION INDEX

Federated Farmers of New Zealand gave their qualified support to the new Isolation Index for rural schools announced by the Government today.

Federated Farmers understands that the Isolation Index has been designed to measure the geographic isolation of schools so that appropriate funding can be allocated to compensate for the resulting extra costs.

"Like all new initiatives, we will have to wait and see if the Isolation Index does prove an effective indicator of need," said Roger Barton, Federated Farmers education spokesperson. "However, it is encouraging to see the Government address this problem."

"Many rural schools face additional costs because they are so isolated. Rural schools have to pay more for services that urban schools take for granted. For example, it costs a fortune to get tradespeople out to some rural schools just to carry out routine maintenance."

"Federated Farmers has been raising this issue with the Government for several years, and it is good that the Government has moved towards a fairer system," concluded Mr Barton.

ENDS For further information:
Roger Barton 06-304-9495 or 025-415-268
Emma O'Sullivan 0800-327-646

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Alastair Thompson

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Alastair Thompson is the co-founder of Scoop. He is of Scottish and Irish extraction and from Wellington, New Zealand. Alastair has 24 years experience in the media, at the Dominion, National Business Review, North & South magazine, Straight Furrow newspaper and online since 1997. He is the winner of several journalism awards for business and investigative work.

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