Northland town turns out to back schools

By CLAIRE TREVETT

When Education Minister Trevor Mallard rolled into the small township of Kawakawa to talk at the school hall, he did not expect to be confronted by a disgruntled former All Black halfback.

Sid Going went to see Mr Mallard to find out why the minister wanted to merge his small school with up to two others.

Mr Going attended Maromaku School, as did his 12 siblings and his five children.

If the Government closed it or merged it with another school at another location, "I won't be very happy because my grandchildren should be going there", he said.

Mr Mallard faced a mostly civil but emotional audience to answer questions about a review of primary schools in central Northland and the Russell Peninsula.

Under the review, 18 schools face closure or amalgamation.

About 180 New Zealand schools are under review due to falling rolls.

Mr Going's wife, Colleen, said Maromaku School had been a solid academic performer for 112 years.

"Why should anyone have the right to take that away?"

The Goings were joined by about 75 other parents, teachers and community members at the meeting.

Mr Mallard also hinted at a review of secondary schools.

"I wouldn't rule out in the not-too-far distance looking at the provision of education in Northland for secondary school-age students."

Kawakawa School principal Peter Witana said Mr Mallard's visit "heralds another systematic dismantling of our rural communities".

The Government had downsized rural hospitals and decimated banking and postal services. "We have been increasingly forced to place schools as the last bastion of our rural communities.

"We have spent many hours on our schools so you must understand the communities will not now stand by and watch you try and close our schools," Mr Witana said.

Mr Mallard said small schools were reviewed because they were more susceptible to problems electing strong boards and attracting good staff when rolls dwindled.

However, many of those in the audience said there was a lot more to the issue than economics.

Tohe Ashby, a former board member and parent at Motatau School, said any closure or merger would cause huge divisions in the area's Maori communities.

"You want to put our children in a bigger school for what? To push them into a little corner at the back? And what happens then? They end up on the streets as truants?"

Mr Mallard said none of the present options for the schools were set in stone and he assured the audience he would take note of reasoned and practical submissions.