Anger continues to boil over in Otago secondary schools about
the closure of the Phoenix Centre, with one principal raising
questions about whether the independent report was just a
formality.
Otago Secondary Principals Association chairman Philip
Craigie said the report had "fairly unrealistic targets"
which pupils were expected to achieve before coming out of
the centre.
It was expected they would be able to return to school and
gain NCEA qualifications, Mr Craigie said.
"If a pupil can turn up to school after being at the centre,
and bring a pen and paper to class and not disrupt the
learning of others, that's progress. That's success as far as
we're concerned."
He said the independent report on the centre was released to
schools in Dunedin in November last year and many principals
felt "disquiet" about its content.
"We felt our views hadn't been listened to.
"I can't help wonder if the Government has made a decision to
close the centre and then commissioned a report to back up
their decision.
"I think there's some money- saving at the back of this."
Bayfield High School principal Denis Slowley was disappointed
about the decision, but was trying to be pragmatic about it.
"The report showed there were clearly some things that needed
to be fixed.
"But the kids are very important. The resource that is left
is $142,000 and we need to start looking at our best use for
that resource.
"Ultimately, the kids are still in the schools and we'll
still have to deal with them."
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