National halves op funding for Maori language area schools, more cuts to follow?

The Government’s decision to slash base operational funding for Maori language area schools is either discriminatory and unfair to Maori or a foretaste of wider cuts to school funding, Labour’s Education spokesman Trevor Mallard said today.

“A report signed off by Education Minister Anne Tolley in January confirmed that seven new wharekura will receive base operational funding of $50,000, compared to the $130,000 base funding that a similar sized mainstream composite school is entitled to,” Trevor Mallard said.

“Ms Tolley’s decision to cut funding for these wharekura will make life extremely difficult for them.

“The decision raises a number of serious questions:

• Why should wharekura receive less operational funding?

• Did Ms Tolley’s Associate Minister Pita Sharples agree to this funding cut for the new wharekura?

• Will she rule out similar cuts to the operational funding of other new area schools?

• Are parents going to be expected to make up the shortfall?

“Unfortunately Ms Tolley failed today to answer any of these questions. In fact, in the House today she could not even recall the decision, despite her signature appearing several times in the January 2010 document.

“That is not good enough. The Government is clearly looking to save money despite assurances from Bill English that Budget cuts will not affect education.

"Either Maori kids are being shortchanged or across the board cuts are on the way. Ms Tolley needs to provide some answers," Trevor Mallard said.

ENDS

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