So far is this from being a pious platitude that the full acceptance of this principle will involve the orientation of the whole education system" [ Link to full speech ] However, to many as parents, grandparents or casual observers, our education system appears to be in a constant state of flux with equal measure of accolade and criticism flowing in the media.
 The most regular concern regarding the availability of a 'free education' is core funding. A research report prepared by the New Zealand School Trustees Association quotes: “Research shows government education funding comes up short".
A study into school finances has found effective schools could not continue to provide students with their current standard of education if they relied on government funding alone.The three-year study is funded by the New Zealand School Trustees Association (NZSTA) and is being independently conducted by the New Zealand Council for Educational Research. The study examines the financial management of 18 effective New Zealand schools. The report released today documents findings from the first year of research. NZSTA President Chris Haines says the research examines the use of government operational funding and locally raised funds to meet student needs. "If the Government wanted evidence of schools struggling to provide quality educational outcomes on existing operational funding levels, they've now got it. It's time for them to sit up and take notice of what schools are telling them," he says. "The clear answer is for the Government to commit to a significant increase in operational grant funding to ensure that the high standards of education expected by both the Government and communities can be achieved." Chris Haines says the schools involved in the study had robust financial management, but that generally the standard of education delivered in the school was dependent on the funds each school was able to raise from non-government sources.
"Schools are far more reliant on non-government sources of funding now than they were when schools were decentralised with the introduction of community governance in 1989."
"This independent research backs up what NZSTA and schools have been telling the Government for some time now - that operation grant funding is not keeping up with the cost of delivering high quality education." Chris Haines says the research also shows that schools in the study were responding to the Government's call to customise teaching more closely to individual student needs, rather than taking a 'one size fits all' approach to education…. [ Link to full release ]
 Useful Links:
NZ Centre for Education Research
NZ School Trustees Association
Ministry of Education
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