Exemptions Skyrocket Under Mallard
ACT New Zealand Education Spokesman Deborah Coddington today revealed that the Government has given up on thousands of
young New Zealanders, with new information showing that approvals for children to leave school early have risen 49
percent since 1999.
"Answers to my written Parliamentary Questions have revealed that 3,847 children were granted an early exemption to
leave school in 2003 - compared to 2,582 children allowed to leave school before their 16^th birthday in the year Labour
took office," Miss Coddington said.
"Education Minister Trevor Mallard is letting hordes of children drop out. Before the 1999 election, he campaigned to
reduce the number of exemptions - and has failed dismally. Now the Education Ministry is dishing them out like lollies,
to any child that asks for one. It is a cop-out - a way to get rid of kids Labour wants to ignore.
"The Minister seems unwilling to turn these shameful figures around - already this year, 968 children have been granted
an exemption. This is a amazing U-turn from Mr Mallard who, as Opposition education spokesman, said:
`By agreeing to exemptions the Government is basically relieving itself of any responsibility for these young people'.
(Labour Media Release, February 1997)
"ACT believes exemptions should not be granted except in the most drastic of circumstances - not when things get too
tough, or embarrassing, for Mr Mallard to deal with. He must put an end to this easy `out', so that no child is left
behind," Miss Coddington said.
Number of Early Leaving Exemptions, 1999 to 2003
Year
Total
1999
2582
2000
3247
2001
3416
2002
3703
2003
3847