English: rural school housing disgraceful

Rural teachers are being treated like second-class citizens by the Labour Government as they are forced to live in decrepit conditions, says National Education spokesman, Bill English.

"Government owned state school housing in rural areas ranges from grotty to disgusting. Low-cost housing plays a crucial role in attracting teachers to rural areas but the Government has shown itself to be a negligent landlord.

"Most rural school housing is dated, has no carpet and is in desperate need of maintenance.

"In the worst cases, some rural teachers are living in damp homes with leaky roofs, buckling walls and no insulation," says Mr English.

"School houses in Owaka for staff of Catlins Area School, in my electorate, are absolutely appalling. Any other landlord would be in trouble with the law but the Government just gets away with it.

"Good teachers is the only way to ensure good education and a bright future for our kids. The Government should pull finger and show they appreciate teachers by ensuring their housing is at least average.

"I urge the Government to upgrade teacher housing to, at very least, a reasonable standard to ensure that we continue to attract good teachers to rural schools," says Mr English.

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