Training centre cleared

An investigation into a Northland education provider accused of falsifying student records has found no evidence of criminal offending.

The finding comes from a draft Tertiary Education Commission report into the Hikurangi Learning Centre, which was investigated following questions in Parliament.

Chief executive Sarah Burkhardt denied allegations in March that she had claimed funding for students who dropped out.

The commission investigated after the parliamentary claims, which were sparked by a former tutor who alleged learning centre attendance records filled out in pencil had been changed.

The report into the allegations was supposed to have been finished in early April but was delayed while waiting for the learning centre to give information.

The draft report shows discrepancies relating to "a couple of trainees".

The commission's Northland area manager, Carol Barnett, would not give details of the report apart from saying that police would not be involved. "The investigation is not complete as we are waiting for further information from the learning centre and until that is done we cannot release any information," she said.

A commission spokeswoman in Wellington said the report had taken longer than expected because "we needed to give (the learning centre) appropriate time to respond".

Ms Burkhardt declined to comment.

About 20 students attend the learning centre, which caters for long-term unemployed and people with no or low qualifications.

The centre receives $350,000 to $400,000 a year.

- NZPA