Christchurch East MP Lianne Dalziel
Children who were forced to leave Christchurch's Aorangi
School when it was closed last year have inadequate facilities
for bilingual education at Burnside Primary, Labour MP Lianne
Dalziel says.
Ms Dalziel, a Christchurch MP, said Education Minister Anne
Tolley ignored repeated warnings that she wasn't allowing
enough time and support to parents and children who were
being sent to new schools.
"The major concern has centred on the delays around providing
a classroom for bilingual education at Burnside Primary," she
said.
"Despite assurances from the minister at the time she closed
Aorangi, these children are receiving their lessons on the
school hall stage."
Ms Dalziel said the children had been through the stress of
having their preferred school closed, and they still didn't
have a dedicated bilingual classroom at their new school.
"How are they meant to retain their Te Reo Maori in that
situation?" she asked.
Ms Dalziel raised the issue in Parliament yesterday, and Mrs
Tolley said bilingual education was available at Burnside
Primary and Cobham Intermediate.
"There is a process happening at the moment...to discuss the
establishment of a bilingual unit," she said.
"There is a set process...committed to establishing the unit.
That is happening."
Ms Dalziel said Mrs Tolley had been irresponsible in closing
the school before those decisions had been made.
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