July 02, 2018
Whakaue angry at charter school loss
Ngāti Whakaue members have meet with the education and workforce select committee to express dissatisfaction with having to turn their partnership school into a special character school.
Te Rangihakahaka has a curriculum aimed to develop the interests of its students in science and technology.
Bryce Murray from the school sponsor, Te Taumata ō Ngāti Whakaue Iho-Ake Trust, says it grew out of a desire by the iwi to have a greater say in the education of their tamariki, and they want to continue to have a major role in the school however it is funded and managed.
He says in its first year Rangihakahaka has met expectations.
"A number of the whānau who have had negative experiences in a lot of different schools have commented positively on the effects they have seen in their tamariki through attending Te Rangihakahaka and we think it's a shame the Government is looking to do away with partnership schools because of the negative effect this will have on whānau and tamariki," Mr Murray says.
Ngāti Whakaue spends about $1.5 million a year supporting the education of its tamariki, and believes it can make a difference if it is involved in other ways.
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com