Editorial: Help for school essential

A teacher is accused of assaulting children at a Whangarei kura kaupapa.

The Northern Advocate believes it is in the public interest that people know these allegations are being investigated. The school - Te Kura Kaupapa Maori O Rawhiti Roa - is investigating but is reluctant to talk. Principal Meri George wanted the names of parents who had called the Advocate in confidence - we declined.

It may seem contradictory for the Northern Advocate to call for the school to be open, while we refuse to disclose the names. But the parents are reluctant to be identified for fear it may impact on their children. They believe the school is keeping things too quiet and should be open with parents. They want to know more about what is going on.

The school is a public organisation that parents can have an expectation to operate with open, direct communication. Simply, it is professional to do so. And in a small community, where everyone knows everyone and is friends or whanau, it can make things difficult. Which is all the more reason for the school and its board to operate with clarity - not cloudiness.

The Northern Advocate queried the Ministry of Education as to what parents could do if they were not happy with the way the kura was operating. We were repeatedly told that the "the Board of Trustees is legally responsible for ensuring the health and safety of students".

In other words, if a parent has a complaint, take it up with the board. That's fine in theory but you are talking about parents who may have lost confidence in the school, and are therefore reluctant to go to the board.

No wonder schools and boards are in trouble in Northland - it is patently obvious, looking at this scenario, that the kura could do with some help on this one.

Yet they will be left to correct things themselves, or possibly not. Only then it seems will an MOE ambulance chug along and collect the remnants from the bottom of the cliff.

Not good enough. If the MOE won't act, then the Minister of Education should intervene now - not necessarily formally, just offer guidance - and assist the kura, and help nip the problem in the bud.

Dealing with these allegations is tricky - there are signs the kura needs some help. Give it to them.