Increasing Class Sizes May Disadvantage the Most Vulnerable

30 May 2012

Increasing Class Sizes May Disadvantage the Most Vulnerable.

New Zealand’s leading disability organisation, CCS Disability Action, is concerned about increases in class sizes. The changes to funding ratios for schools in Budget 2012 mean there will likely be increases in class size for years 2 to 10. This may disadvantage the most vulnerable students, particularly those with special needs and behavioural issues.

CCS Disability Action’s Chief Executive, David Matthews, said that disabled children and those with extra educational needs require more attention from teachers.

“Increased class sizes will decrease the amount of time teachers spend with these children. Unfortunately, these changes come at same time as the Ministry of Education is proposing to take the positive step of reducing the number of residential special schools. While it is great that these children will be supported in their local schools, it is vital that classrooms are welcoming to them.”

Mr Matthews highlighted his organisation’s recent research into school choice, which showed that some schools were still not welcoming enough for disabled children.

“I am really concerned that increased class sizes will undo some of the progress that has been made in including disabled children in regular classes.”

Mr Matthews said he was pleased that the Government is already rethinking the class size increase because of unforeseen impacts on intermediate schools. “We ask the Government to extend this rethink to include the impact of the changes on disabled children and other vulnerable groups.”

ENDS

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