Education minister Nikki Kaye is off to a fantastic start, with the announcement of an extra $68.8m to support vulnerable children and their families, says Lorraine Kerr, president of New Zealand School Trustee Association (NZSTA).
Prime minister Bill English confirmed the spend as part of a wider $321m Social Investment Package and emphasised the government’s commitment to “support children most at risk of long-term dysfunction.”
“NZSTA is here to support school boards of trustees to ensure that every student achieves their highest possible educational potential, and I am confident the new investment will work towards this vision,” says Ms Kerr.
“This is a clear focus on children and young people and we welcome more funding to better support behavioural issues for children between zero to eight years. This is going to further enhance support for existing challenges and increase opportunities in the education sector.
“The positive flow-on effect to schools to help them cope with students with behavioural problems, will be widely felt across New Zealand.”
