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Judith Collins says public school leaders in New Plymouth are outraged by the government’s approval of funding for the private Green School in Taranaki.
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The national leader met yesterday with the principals of Marfell Community School and New Plymouth Boys’ High School. Source: 1 NEWS
Deputy Finance Minister James Shaw approved nearly $ 12 million in funding for the school, which has shocked many from all parties.
Shaw has apologized to members of the Green Party for approving the funding and was working to find a solution. Education Minister Chris Hipkins has refused to defend the project and said he would not have prioritized funding for the elite school.
Shaw today apologized for approving the grant and said it should be converted to a loan.
The leader of the National Party, Ms Collins, says that if there is a contract between the government and the school, then they should “cancel everything now.”
The National leader visited New Plymouth yesterday to meet with public school principals and said the message was clear.
“We met with the principal of Marfell School and the chairman of the board, as well as the principal of New Plymouth’s Junior High School,” he told reporters in Parliament today.
“What was really clear is the absolute anger among school principals and school communities over the $ 11.7 million that the government has promised to this thing called green school.”
She says many of the schools are suffering from an infrastructure deficit, particularly Marfell, a one-decile school.
“The principal spends four out of five days a week trying to raise funds. They don’t have extra money from parents because parents don’t have extra money at all.
“They absolutely depend on community trusts, in particular slot funds, to be able to buy anything for their school.”
She says schools did not expect the government to approve such funding when they needed it.
“They are looking at this private ecological school and they wonder what is going on with the government.
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Students will spend most of their time outdoors. Source: Seven Sharp
“We will discuss this matter with the government today.”
It follows National’s education announcement yesterday, promising $ 4.8 billion for educational infrastructure if elected in October.
