Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Education Policy | Post Primary | Preschool | Primary | Tertiary | Search

 

Board of Trustees Kawerau Intermediate Go To Court

Press Release (Saturday 30 June, 2012)

Board of Trustees Kawerau Intermediate

The Kawerau Intermediate Board of Trustees will head to into the High Court in Rotorua this coming Monday 2 July to challenge the Minister of Educations decision to close the intermediate school. The Board remains steadfast in its belief that this decision never considered the views of the community and that it is placing vulnerable children in danger. This view is supported by almost all of the Kawerau Community as evidenced by a recent petition taken across the town.

Residents were asked to indicate their preferred options for year 7 and 8 students schooling in the town. Those over the age of 18 had the opportunity to tick in favour of retaining a separate intermediate school or in favour of the Ministers proposal for a dual campus school. 2295 signatures were gathered (approximately 60% of the towns adult population. Of these 2281 (99.4%) signed for the retention of separate intermediate schooling. 14 residents (0.6%) signed for the proposed year 7-13 dual campus site. Residents in signing for the retention of a separate intermediate school do so in their knowledge of the vulnerability of children in Kawerau. The high youth suicide rate, teen pregancies, prevelant gang culture and extreme levels ofpoverty serve to heighten the risk. These factors so well known by the Kawerau Community have been brushed off by the both the previous and current Ministers of Education.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The Kawerau Intermediate Board sought a meeting with Minister Parata to try an avert the need for the legal action to take place. A meeting was granted to our Board Chair, Principal and legal representative, and this took place on thepast Thursday 28 June. The content of the meeting as agreed remains confidential but the it was clear that the Minister was not open to seeking a solution in the interests of the children of Kawerau.

The community preference for retaining separate intermediate schooling in Kawerau has remained unwavering for the past 18 months. Parents, Caregivers and the wider community understand and know what is best for childrens education in Kawerau. They are fully aware of the extreme danger in which children as young as 11 will be placed in the proposed year 7-13 school.

The question is not ‘if’, but ‘when’ a serious incident occurs as a result of putting younger children into a decile 1 school in the Eastern Bay of Plenty will the Minister, Ministry and those involved be prepared to accept responsibility?
Ends

--

--


© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Culture Headlines | Health Headlines | Education Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • CULTURE
  • HEALTH
  • EDUCATION
 
 
  • Wellington
  • Christchurch
  • Auckland
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.