Auckland rally to support edcuation for all

Families, disabled people and educators are gathering in the Auckland Domain this coming Saturday, united against the Government’s recent policy announcements about including students with disabilities at school.

EFA spokesperson Dr Bernadette Macartney says the Government isn’t investing in disabled children and schools in ways which will build disabled children’s access to education, and that these problems have gone on for too long.

The family-friendly Education for All Rally/Picnic kicks off at the Rotunda in the Auckland Domain at midday and has a message for the Government: Better investment is needed for an education system that responds to the rights of every learner to fully participate and succeed.

Education for All is a collaboration of families, disabled people and educators committed to ensuring that disabled children and young people are in schools that are well resourced to welcome them, and have the support to learn and participate in school life.

Bernadette Macartney says there is a broad base of support for an inclusive education system that resources children with disabilities and schools properly. The Government’s recent Update announcements fall far short of the investment needed to build a quality inclusive education system.

“While we acknowledge that there are some positive aspects in the Update, they will take time to embed. Families and schools are worried that children and young people with disabilities in the system now will be worse off.

“Recent reports from Youthlaw and the Human Rights Commission back up these concerns. The rally on Saturday 12th November demonstrates the depth and breadth of concern that the proposed changes to the system do not guarantee a fair deal for children and young people with disabilities at school. We’re calling on the Government to provide Education for All and we want a real investment in inclusion,” she says.

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