Katherine Rich
National Party Education Spokeswoman

20 December 2006

Govt hypocritical about school spending

Criticising schools for spending money on beautifying their grounds is hypocritical when the Government has just spent $11 million on prison landscaping, says National’s Education spokeswoman, Katherine Rich

“Creating the impression that schools are squandering funds on beautification is a convenient smokescreen for the Government, after two reports failed to provide insight on schools' issues with operational funding.

“Quibbling about a handful of schools spending small amounts of money to make their grounds attractive is petty.

“Labour obviously fails to appreciate that pleasant surrounds encourage learning, and develops pride within schools.

“And what's wrong with a principal and parents working hard to maintain a school that all kids can have pride in?

“Isn't that what all of us want for our children?

“Principals and teachers tell me that when schools and communities take pride in their grounds, it rubs off on the kids.

“Through the vague criticisms in the Education Review Office report on schools' operational funding, the Government is sending the message that it's perfectly in order to beautify grounds for criminals in corrections facilities, but it’s mismanagement if schools decide to enhance grounds for children.

“Most Kiwis would agree that’s nonsense.”

ENDS

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