Minister called out on Mt Roskill education visits

The Minister of Education has been challenged to front up and discuss the Government’s plans for schools in Mt Roskill following an embarrassing intervention by her ministerial office.

Labour’s candidate for the Mt Roskill by-election Michael Wood says Hekia Parata’s office contacted the principal of Waikowhai School to request a visit for her and the National Party candidate Parmjeet Parmar, not realising that he is chair of the Board of Trustees.

“Because I chair the Board at Waikowhai, the principal thought it best to decline the request,” says Mr Wood.

“However, as chair, I have written to Minister Parata to take her up on her desire to visit the school and I look forward to hosting her and discussing a range of educational issues.

“The National Government’s funding proposals mean that 21 of the 22 schools in Mt Roskill will receive less OPEX funding than they would have, had the current year's funding simply been increased for inflation. That’s extremely concerning to the local community.

“I will definitely be raising this issue with her. People in Mt Roskill are rightly worried that educational quality could be affected by National’s proposals.

“It is good that Minister Parata wants to come to Waikowhai. It is an amazing school with great teachers, administrators and students and I am proud to serve as chair of the Board.

“I will be telling her she needs to back the students and teachers at Mt Roskill’s schools with a proper funding mechanism and reverse her proposed cuts to local schools,” says Mr Wood.

Hekia Parata’s office requested to visit this afternoon and Michael Wood says he will be at the gate of the school at 3pm to meet her.

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