14 Nov 2014

Schools want help with quake rebuild

12:27 pm on 14 November 2014

Integrated schools in Christchurch want to be included in the Government's billion-dollar rebuild of the city's schools.

The schools have said they need Government help to bring their buildings up to new seismic and learning standards.

The Association of Proprietors of Integrated Schools said insurance payments following the Christchurch quakes were not enough to bring the 30 integrated schools in the city up to new seismic standards.

It said it wanted the Government to treat their schools like other state schools - which would cost tens of millions of dollars.

Marian College principal Anna Heffernan said Government help was essential.

"We're asking for a relative amount to help meet the new seismic requirements," Ms Heffernan said.

"The other thing of course that's happening - particularly here in Christchurch with so much rebuild and repair of state schools - is the modern learning environment's requirements and the impact of that on state-integrated schools."

She said without extra funding, many students would be in second-rate learning environments.

Education Minister Hekia Parata said the Christchurch schools would be considered in wider discussions about property funding for integrated schools.

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