600 new staff: PM announces boost for special needs in schools

A $217 million increase in special needs education funding was the centrepiece of Jacinda Ardern’s first Labour Party conference speech as Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the Labour Party Conference in Dunedin. Photo: Gerard O...
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern addresses the Labour Party Conference in Dunedin. Photo: Gerard O'Brien
A $217 million increase in special needs education funding was the centrepiece of Jacinda Ardern’s first Labour Party conference speech as Prime Minister.

Dunedin locals flocked to see today's speech -- the longest queue seen in Dunedin for a political event for decades waited outside the Town Hall for admission, with attendance estimated at 1200 and many people turned away disappointed.

Ms Ardern told delegates further investment in education was needed for her oft-repeated goal that New Zealand be the best place in the world to raise a child to be met.

"Today I want to say to parents, to kids, to teachers, to aunties, to anyone who has asked for more support for those with additional needs – we’ve heard you.

"Today I am announcing that we’ll be employing a new workforce of approximately 600 Learning Support Coordinators to work alongside teachers across the entire country.

"If a child needs support and is not getting it, that's not fair and I'm not prepared to tolerate it.''

The scheme, which will cost $217 million over four years, was a ``game changer’’ for children and teachers, Ms Ardern said.

The LSC’s were similar to the existing position of special education needs coordinators, but would work alongside current teachers – at the moment teachers had to take up the slack, Ms Ardern said.

People queue in Moray Place as they wait to get into the Dunedin Town Hall to hear Prime Minister...
People queue in Moray Place as they wait to get into the Dunedin Town Hall to hear Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern speak today. Photo: Gerard O'Brien

That would allow those teachers to devote their time to teaching the whole class, she said.

"More than that, these new roles will give parents a single point of contact with someone who understands the needs of their child, and will advocate for them as they move through their time in the school.’’

Ms Ardern said New Zealand First MP and associate education minister Tracey Martin – who was at the conference yesterday to hear the announcement – had been key to developing the proposal.

New Zealand First and the Green Party recommended creating the positions in a minority report to a Government inquiry in to dyslexia, dyspraxia and autism conducted during the last Parliament.

Creating the roles was also part of the Labour-Green Party confidence and supply agreement.

Ms Ardern thanked Labour staff and volunteers, and her caucus for their role in giving her ``the profound responsibility of leading our party.’’

In her speech Ms Ardern continually referred to the thousands of letters sent to her in her first year in office, especially from children.

"They tell me when we are on the right track or the wrong track.

"They tell me when we have made a difference, or when we need to make a difference.’’

The fact that people were going without things stood out the most for her from the letters, and told her that more needed to be done, Ms Ardern said.

She pointed at reform in housing, employment growth, regional development, race relation, the environment and education as evidence her Government was addressing those concerns.

 

Add a Comment

 

Advertisement