News release

7 June 2013

Ministry and Paeroa School agree next steps for student

Ministry of Education officials have today met with Paeroa School and agreed to an alternative option that will not require a student with severe behavioural problems to be enrolled at the school.

During a constructive meeting with the school principal, members of the board of trustees, and members of the students whanau Brian Coffey, group manager, special education, said it was made clear the Ministry was seeking an outcome that would meet the needs of both the pupil and the school, and one that all parties could agree to.

Mr Coffey says, “It was good to meet the principal and board representatives as it allowed us to listen to their concerns in person.

“We talked about some of the options available but none of them involved requiring Paeroa Central to enrol the boy.

“We are optimistic a school will be able to enrol the student. The details are still being worked on but he now has a chance of gradually getting back into education.

“At some stage it would be helpful for the school to have some involvement. But the Ministry will now work with the family towards getting the best possible outcome for him.

“I appreciate the concerns the school has about the boy’s behaviour. But we also agreed that in the interests of the child we would not make any further comment about the matter.

“We are confident that with the right support, we can get the student back into education.”

ends

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