Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Ministry replacing programme for troubled schools

Updated at 6:46 pm on 14 October 2010

The Government is axing its main support programme for troubled schools in order to pay for a new unit in the Ministry of Education.

The Schooling Improvement programme is one of three initiatives that will be cut to pay for 50 new staff who will work directly with schools. Their work will cost about $12 million a year.

Most of that will come from the money currently allocated to the programme, which earlier this year was helping about 300 schools.

The ministry says the new unit will build on the best aspects of Schooling Improvement and will reach more schools.

Some groups say, however, that the decision does not make sense and that the Government is robbing Peter to pay Paul.

Secondary Principals Association president Patrick Walsh says Schooling Improvement has a proven track record of helping schools.

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