May 30, 2002
ESOL Cuts A Direct Attack On Pacific Children - Donnelly
“The government needs to explain its savage cuts to English as a second language teaching funding”, says NZ First
education spokesperson Brian Donnelly.
The budget shows a reduction from $13.4 million to $10.8 million in spite of the fact that the number of ESOL learners
to be funded remains the same.
One of the main groups identified in our educational failure statistics is that of children with English as a second
language. The government has made many statements to the effect that this group is important to it.
Cutting the budget by 20% demands an explanation.
“NZ First is particularly concerned about the implications of these cuts for Pacific children”, Mr Donnelly said.
Ends