Budget 09: Private schools' $35m lifeline wins applause

State sector schools are unhappy about funding cuts to some programmes. Photo / Greg Bowker

Fewer private schools will be forced to close under this year's Budget but teachers in the state sector are likely to miss out on professional development and support programmes.

Education Minister Anne Tolley said the Government had demonstrated its commitment to education through a $1.68 billion injection of frontline funding that will direct large amounts of money towards areas such as improving school buildings, boosting funding for children with special needs and running high-speed broadband internet through most schools.

Independent schools will receive their first Government funding injection in a decade the $35 million allowing them to keep their fees at a more affordable level for parents.

Executive director of the Independent Schools of New Zealand Deborah James said she was delighted with the announcement as private schools had been struggling with a "crippling capped funding regime for the past 10 years".

She felt it was important the Government had acknowledged that if it did not help them out, a number of private schools might have been forced to integrate, which would have ultimately lapped up a portion of state funding that could otherwise be diverted towards public schools.

"[Independent schools] bring a choice in education, not all schools suit all children so it's wonderful in a democracy that families can choose an education that best suits the needs of their child," Mrs James said.

Tony Sissons, headmaster of King's School, said the funding would greatly assist the school's parents as it would allow him to keep cost increases at a minimum.

"Independent schools bring the opportunity for choice and by maintaining fees at a lower rate it gives more people the opportunity for choice around the country," Mr Sissons said.

But the Budget was met with less enthusiasm by the state sector schools.

President of the Post Primary Teachers' Association Kate Gainsford was concerned to see funding cuts of $35.779 million for professional development, $6.005 million for school support programmes and $11.701 million for curriculum support programmes.

"It is vital to invest in the intellectual infrastructure of the country," she said.

The PPTA hoped to see some fleshing out of the Youth Guarantee Policy but this was not included in the Budget, she said.

Marilyn Gwilliam, president of the Auckland Primary Principals' Association, said there were some positive areas in the Budget but these were countered by her uncertainty that schools would reap the benefits.

She expressed her concerns over the extent of red tape around accessing funding for building and the lack of a provision of paraprofessional support which is vital for children with high special needs. She was also concerned that the shortage of early childhood centres was not addressed.

"We love the idea of all children having really strong early childhood education because when they come to school and have had a good programme they just fly in Year 1, and if they haven't they can struggle for some time."

The president of the primary teachers' union, Frances Nelson, said she was looking for clear signs of working towards strategic investment in teaching and learning.

She would be looking at payments for frontline teachers and teacher-aids because "investment in people could be put on the backburner during a recession".

Ms Nelson was pleased to see $16 million towards fighting truancy and $36 million going towards literacy and numeracy.

"It's always very good to know that when a new initiative comes out there will be money to support the implementation of it in times of recession."