August 26, 2014
School programmes hit and miss
The editor of a new book on the effects of poverty in New Zealand schools says too much that is done in low decile schools is hit and miss.
Vicki Carpenter says she and colleague Sue Osborne put together Twelve thousand hours: education and poverty in Aotearoa New Zealand out of a long standing concern that Maori and Pasifika children and working class children weren't meeting their potential within the school system.
She says widening inequality in society is matched with what is happening in schools, as low decile schools can't get the sort of resources out of their communities that wealthier ones can.
That means they miss out on the sorts of extra-curricular activities that are an important part of learning.
"An example is going camping and sleeping in a tent and experiencing all those things surrounding camping. For kids from poorer communities that is a very exciting thing to do. It's exciting for all kids but the money just isn't there so schools tend to rely on philanthropy, and money that is given for charity reasons can be just as easily taken away, and it's kind of hit and miss really." Dr Carpenter says.
Access to technology is also affected by the sort of schools people go to, rather than it being a basic right.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH DR VICKY CARPENTER CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjE0NDM=
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