Carmel Sepuloni
Associate Education spokesperson
12 October 2010 Media Statement
Pacific students to lose funding for language programmes
The Minister of Education Anne Tolley’s decision to cease funding Pacific language education programmes in New Zealand
schools will be detrimental to pacific students, says Labour Associate Education spokesperson Carmel Sepuloni.
“There are currently 33 Pacific bilingual education units operating in New Zealand schools. These are set to lose their
support from the Ministry of Education and instead schools wishing to continue providing this service will need to find
the funds from their already stretched operational budgets.
“All evidence points to the use of Pacific bilingual education as a key factor in raising the achievement levels of
Pacific students. The Minister’s latest decision will have a severely detrimental impact on educational outcomes for
Pacific people in New Zealand.
“This Government seems intent on denying Pacific students the opportunity to excel in education, and to maintain a
connection to their cultural heritage through learning in Pacific languages,” Carmel Sepuloni said.
ENDS