Principals have welcomed the Green Party’s announcement to establish on site community hubs for low decile schools to
address the inequalities which affect learning for one in four children in New Zealand.
‘We know that sixty percent of the variance around under achievement relates to influences that reside ‘out of the
school’ and are socioeconomic in nature,’ said Philip Harding, President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation
(NZPF).
The Green party has costed out policies which will apply to all decile one to four schools and will establish on-site
hubs, provide free after school and holiday care programmes, fund lunches and provide a dedicated nurse to address
primary health issues in each school. A hub coordinator will also be appointed to each school to recruit personnel and
encourage parental involvement.
‘This is a superb initiative and will make a huge difference for those kids that currently arrive at school unfed and
unhealthy,’ said Harding. ‘We know that the vast majority of those children are from low decile schools and we applaud
this move to address the children’s health and welfare issues so that we can get on with the job of teaching them,’ he
said.
‘We are committed to seeing every child in New Zealand reach their potential because we recognise that school is the
most effective route out of poverty,’ he said. ‘Having our children arrive in class fed, clothed and healthy means they
will be ready to learn,’ he said.
ENDS