Tick for Kids – it takes a child to raise a country

Parties and candidates vying for our votes over the next three months will be reminded today that it takes a child to raise a country.

The Tick for Kids campaign launches in Auckland this afternoon with a crucial reminder for politicians to make sure children are central to their platforms.

PPTA President Angela Roberts welcomed the attention on the needs of the 285,000 children in poverty.

Our educational challenges will never be resolved until we address the problems far too many children and young people face in the world outside school,” she said.

“Recent research from the USA shows conclusively that spending more money on the education of children from poor backgrounds makes a significant difference to their achievement rates at school and their ongoing life chances.”

Smaller classes and better access to the services they need made a real difference to young people who were already disadvantaged when they arrived at school, she said.

“These are options that politicians here should be considering.”

New Zealand spending on children’s early years and compulsory education was low compared to other OECD countries.

“At this election we would like to see all parties making equity for children a top priority. This means increasing funding and directing it to where it is most needed,” she said.

The Tick for Kids Campaign launch is at Grey Lynn School, 44 Surrey Crescent, Grey Lynn, Auckland, 11.30am Tuesday 17 June.

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