August 07, 2015
Ghetto school to be rebuilt
Northland College will be rebuilt after waiting 5 years.
98-percent of the students are Maori.
Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye has announced that $14million has been granted to rebuild the decile one school.
Principal Jim Luders has labelled the school a ghetto with the worst classrooms in New Zealand.
The Education Review Office found the school was unsafe 3 years ago after an investigation deemed it urgent.
She says rebuilding the Kaikohe school, with construction due to start early next year, is a strong commitment to invest in young people in Northland affirming her belief in the community.
Ms Kaye says the school has a history of poor student achievement and financial management, including a lack of investment in property maintenance and renewal, which led to the buildings' bad state.
The school has been directed by the Ministry of Education not to speak to the media.
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