Record funding, but many in education sector disappointed

Many in the sector have been left disappointed by Budget 2016, despite investment breaking the $11billion mark for the first time. 

Gordon Wilson
Gordon Wilson
This Budget provided an additional $1.44billion in education investment, which included $640.5million of operating funding over the next four years, plus $75.1million in 2015-16, and $727.3million in capital funding.

Education Minister Hekia Parata said spending in early childhood education would include an extra $396.9million over the next four years, plus $39.2million in 2015-16.

By 2019-20, this would provide funding for a further 14,000 children, she said.

During the next four years, schools educating pupils most at risk of educational under-achievement would receive $43.2million.

The increase would be targeted at schools based on how many "materially disadvantaged'' pupils were on their rolls.

The funding for operations grants would stay at $1.38 billion.

Pupils with high and special educational needs would also receive funding to the tune of $42.1million over the next four years.

Ms Parata said $882.5million would be invested in school property, including nine new schools.

Otago Secondary Principals' Association secretary Gordon Wilson said the Budget did not appear to be as positive as previous years.

The biggest disappointment was the lack of increased operations funding.

"That is extremely disappointing because the operations funding is falling behind inflationary pressures, and we would have expected a considerable amount of catch-up funding for that.''

Otago Primary Principals' Association treasurer Chris McKinlay agreed.

"All schools will be disappointed because they are short of funds and it just means they will have to ask their parents for more money.''

Both said the extra money for high and special education needs was also disappointing.

Mr McKinlay questioned whether it would be enough for schools to feel any benefit.

Mr Wilson said he had been told it would cover about five teacher aide hours for each identified pupil.

He also expressed concern about funding for school and property maintenance.

He believed the increase in capital investment would only cover roll growth.

However, Mr Wilson said the sector valued the move to increase funding for schools educating pupils at risk of under-achieving.

Dunedin Community Childcare Association director Penel Pask said the early childhood education sector was also "disappointed, but not surprised'' yesterday's Budget did not bring any increase in funding rates.

 

 


EDUCATION

 

• Additional investment of $1.44 billion.

• Extra $396.9 million for early childhood education.

• $43.2 million for schools educating at-risk pupils.

• $42.1 million for pupils with high and special education needs.

• $882.5 million for school properties.



 

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