March 23, 2015
Rich schools grab reform funds


The New Zealand Educational Institute says the Government’s Investing in Educational Success scheme isn’t reaching the children and schools most in need of support.
President Louise Green says primary teachers rejected the scheme because the $359 million budget was going to bonuses for lead principals and teachers rather than support for children.
She says analysis of the first 11 communities of schools accepted for the scheme shows most of the money is going to high decile schools such as Auckland Grammar.
Decile 1 and 2 schools are getting just 6 percent, even though they make up 14 percent of the schools in the scheme.
Ms Green says what children need are smaller classes, more teacher aides for special needs, 100 percent qualified early childhood teachers and better resourcing of bi-lingual education for Maori and Pasifika.
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