More money and pupils are going to integrated schools. Education Ministry figures show operational funding for integrated schools rose 75 per cent in the past decade and funding for state schools increased by 57 per cent.
The rising amount of money for integrated schools has been driven by an increase in pupils going to the schools.
- Under the National Government, six private schools had become integrated, and two new Catholic integrated schools had opened.
- Four applications for integration had been considered this year, with integration to become effective for Ashburton Christian School from July.
- Wanganui Collegiate School was given the go-ahead this week by Education Minister Anne Tolley to begin integration negotiations, after it first applied in 2009.
Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools chief executive Pat Lynch said more parents were sending their children to integrated schools, attracted by the schools’ special characters. Integrated schools were getting no more money per pupil than state schools, Brother Pat said.
But Post Primary Teachers’ Association president Robin Duff said the figures showed wealthy integrated schools were using the extra taxpayer money to have low pupil-to-teacher ratios.
“Advertising brochures for integrated schools talk about low teacher-to-student ratios, which is being propped up by the state.”
Meanwhile, many state schools were struggling to make ends meet. The move towards integrated schools meant they were getting less government funding and staffing, Mr Duff said.
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