Education

School swimming lessons play a vital role in preventing drowning – and it is not good enough that learning to swim is increasingly becoming a privilege for those whose parents can afford private lessons," the Green Party says.

The Green Party is pleased the Government will not burden students with more debt by abolishing the cap on student fees.

A call from the New Zealand Vice-Chancellors’ Committee for universities to set the cost of courses – getting rid of the cap – will lead to increased student debt, and must be rejected.

Today Green Party Co-Leader Jeanette Fitzsimons visited a junior school under construction which incorporates a number of heating and energy initiatives, making it one of the most efficient schools in the country.

Green Party Education Spokesperson Metiria Turei welcomes Government funding of $9 million over two years to develop nine new early childhood education services on existing school sites in south Auckland, but calls for more grassroots community involvement rather than the state subsidising overseas-owned education franchises.

Green Party is backing IHC’s complaint to be laid today with the Human Rights commissioner that Government policy systemically discriminates against children with special education needs.