14 August 2000 Media Statement

Minister seeks views on Wylie Review

The Associate Minister of Education, Lianne Dalziel, is calling on schools, parents of children with special needs and other interested parties to have further input into the review into certain aspects of Special Education 2000 (SE2000).

More than 1200 submissions were received by Dr Cathy Wylie, when she conducted the review earlier this year. This led to a comprehensive response to the problems that had been raised by many different groups.

One of the recommendations in Dr Wylie's review, however, was on the boundary of the terms of reference and therefore should be subject to a further round of consultation, Lianne Dalziel, said.

"The recommendation to replace the Specialist Education Service (SES) with a national network of district support and resource centres is a significant one. Therefore, I am very keen to hear what people may have to say about it."

Parents, schools and any other interested parties will have until the 26th of September this year to lodge submissions.

"I am aware that a month is not a particularly long timeframe, however, many of the issues have been traversed in the context of the review, and I am only seeking responses to this one recommendation."

Lianne Dalziel said she wanted to assure all schools and parents that this was not about cost-cutting or taking services away from parents. "I want to ensure that SE2000 is delivered in accordance with its founding principles."

"This recommendation enables us to think beyond the square, and to look at the delivery of special education from the perspective of children with special needs rather than an organisational structure," Lianne Dalziel said.

ENDS

Note: Submissions can be sent to Lianne Dalziel, Associate Minister of Education, Parliament Buildings, Wellington. No stamp needed.

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