The establishment of an education service agency and curriculum centre to provide support to schools, has been welcomed by southern primary schools.
Initial funding of $30.9million operating and $1million capital expenditure will establish the frontline advisory capability of the agency, which will deliver new supports and services to schools and early learning centres over the next five to 10 years.
Overall, Budget 2021 will provide $1.4billion during the next four years in operating funding directed at schooling and early learning.
Education Minister Chris Hipkins said it was a "major milestone" for the reforms the Government had in place to support all schools to succeed, champion trades training and back good teaching in the early childhood education sector.
Otago Primary Principals’ Association president Gareth Swete was pleased new spending had been allocated to recognise the challenges schools were facing.
"It is also pleasing to see a much-needed overall rise in operational costs for our state-integrated school and early childhood counterparts.
"Much work is required to be able to meet the rapidly growing complex needs within our schools.
"The establishment of education service agencies, as well as additional funding, promises to help this situation."
Otago Secondary Principals’ Association president Lindy Cavanagh-Monaghan said there appeared to be little in the Budget to benefit secondary pupils.
"The operations grant increase is realistically only going to be playing catch-up, as it currently falls short of meeting real on-the-ground needs. Things only work for the students because of the goodwill of staff and school communities.
"The ongoing investment in vocational training is positive for our graduates. Any improvements for students with barriers to learning, will be welcome as again this is an area which is seriously under-resourced."
