September 09, 2014
Give charter schools a chance
Education Minister Hekia Parata is rejecting claims a Northland charter school is getting disproportionate resources.
Northland principals' president Pat Newman says Education Ministry documents show Te Kura Hourua ki Whangaruru has already cost $2.4 million, including the cost of the 80 hectare farm it is on.
He says the school is getting nearly $27,000 a year per pupil, nearly five times as much as is spent on his decile one state school in Whangarei, and it is still dysfunctional.
Ms Parata says Mr Newman's criticism is politically motivated, and the school is doing well for its 50 pupils, who did not succeed in mainstream schools.
" These kids are kids that have problems. That's why their parents are trying to find another option for them. They have problems, they have difficulties, they have challenges and that's what Partnership Schools are intended to address " says the minister.
Hekia Parata says the majority of pupils of the five partnership schools are Maori or Pacific Island.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH HEKIA PARATA CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MjE5MzI=
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