United Future Media Statement

16 August 2006

School evictions emphasise systemic problem

United Future education spokesperson Judy Turner is delighted that the Auckland Grammar Board of Trustees has agreed to allow evicted students to see the year out, but points out that this is not a problem isolated to one school.

“This is a nationwide problem that occurs when the preferred choice of parents, are different to options that are available to them.

“There is definitely room for a task-force to look into ways in which our State Schools can best mirror the choices that parents want.

“If one looks closely, it is often the single-sex schools in our larger cities that have the most demand for places on their rolls. Such a task-force could look at whether parents choices could better be reflected by increasing the number of state single-sex schools, for example.

“There are many other aspects that need to be addressed, from rising real-estate prices in popular school zones that effectively exclude lower socio-economic families, through to issues surrounding the educational attainment of State Schools.”

“My sympathy is with the School and the students involved in this instance, but I’m very glad that at least these affected students will now be able to see out the school year,” says Mrs Turner.

“But this is a symptom of a wider problem that deserves the attention of policy makers and further consideration by government.”

ENDS

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