INDEPENDENT NEWS

Extra funding for inclusive education welcomed

Published: Sun 13 May 2018 03:14 PM
Extra funding for inclusive education welcomed
13 May 2018
The Prime Minister's announcement of an extra $21.5m for early intervention in behaviour, learning, and speech and language support will change the lives of thousands of children aged under five.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Lynda Stuart was at the Auckland Education Summit for the announcement today and said the news was positive, but the funding for more early intervention frontline staff had to make provision for a pay equity settlement for support workers.
"We have been negotiating with the Ministry of Education for a settlement for support workers for more than a year without progress. You can't truly say these children are valued if the skilled and essential people supporting their learning are earning little more than minimum wage," she said.
Education Support Workers are employed directly by the ministry and work with individual children in early childhood services, giving support around medical, health and toileting needs, and using teaching strategies to support the child's learning.
"We also hope that further funding will be announced to ensure that these children can continue to receive the necessary support after they start school," said Ms Stuart.
"Getting educational intervention and support for their children is a constant battle for many parents, and children have long been missing out on meeting their potential because of inadequate funding," she said.
"This additional funding is not going to ensure equitable access to education for every child. There is a massive unmet need that can't be fixed overnight, but it's a step in the right direction that will be welcomed by educators, families and their children," she said.
ENDS
NZEI
New Zealand Educational Institute
NZEI Te Riu Roa members work in every community in New Zealand, leading and advocating for quality public education.
We are the 50,000 principals, teachers and support staff who work in primary, area and secondary schools as well as early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services. We come together as NZEI Te Riu Roa - New Zealand's largest education union, a Treaty based organisation and a powerful advocate for quality public education.
We have the most important job in New Zealand - educating for the future.
Contact NZEI
Website:
YouTube:
Media Contact:
media@nzei.org.nz
Phone:
04 382 2703
Facebook:
Email:

Next in New Zealand politics

Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
By: New Zealand Government
GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan
By: New Zealand Government
New Zealand Provides Further Humanitarian Support To Gaza And The West Bank
By: New Zealand Government
High Court Judge Appointed
By: New Zealand Government
Parliamentary Network Breached By The PRC
By: New Zealand Government
Tax Cuts Now Even More Irresponsible
By: New Zealand Labour Party
View as: DESKTOP | MOBILE © Scoop Media