Charter school students funded up to 5x more

The Government is so desperate to ensure its controversial charter schools are a success, students are being funded at a rate up to five times the average of state school students, Labour’s Education spokesperson Chris Hipkins says.

“State and integrated schools received an average funding per student of about $7000 but charter schools receive funding of up to $40,000 per student.

“A hand-full of children are being funded at a much greater rate than the bulk of Kiwi kids.

“Education Minister Hekia Parata today failed to justify to Parliament why the Government is creating this inequality.

“Charter schools are deeply unpopular and there is no evidence to show they improve learning.

“Yet the Government is throwing money at them in an attempt to boost their chances of success.

“There is no doubt every state and integrated school in the country could dramatically improve their students’ results if their funding was increased to match that given to charter schools.

“Where is the value for money Minister?

“A Labour government would scrap charter schools, axe National Standards and end this Government’s war on teachers,” Chris Hipkins says.

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