New Zealanders complaining more about board of trustees

New Zealanders are getting better at complaining about schools, the ombudsman says.

Chief ombudsman John Belgrave told the New Zealand Schools Trustees Association's conference in Christchurch today his office was dealing with more complaints about school board decisions because New Zealanders were more informed and willing to ask more questions.

Mr Belgrave said his office dealt with 50 complaints about board of trustees' decisions on suspensions and expulsions, out of a total of 6000 complaints to the office.

"Board of trustee decisions seem to be particularly questioned in small communities where there is only one high school or in areas where there are school zones in places.

"It's the year 2006 and people don't necessarily accept things just because they are told them, and that's a very good thing," he said.

He said in most cases the board had made the right decision.

- NZPA