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November 27, 2014
Principals want more support for Maori students
Waatea Team
Posted On November 27, 2014
The primary teachers union NZEI Te Riu Roa is defending the decile system, which Education Minister Hekia Parata is currently reviewing.
President Judith Nowotarski says decile funding is not a blunt instrument, as the Education Ministry claims, but is a good reflection of the socio-economic make-up of the communities living around their schools.
An NZEI survey of principals found more than 75 percent wanted to see a decile system that reflected an even stronger link to socio-economic factors.
Around 70 percent of principals supported improved funding to Maori and Pasifika learners and 98 percent wanted to see improved funding for learners with special needs.
There was overwhelming opposition to any funding system linked to student results.
Ms Nowotarski says the fact lower decile schools now have 8000 more children that the last time deciles were set is an indication that more New Zealand families are becoming poorer and more children are likely to live in low income households.
Copyright © 2014, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com
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