4. Hon BRIAN DONNELLY (NZ First) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
Has any State funding been provided to Church College in Hamilton for its students, with the exception of specific pupil funding such as the Ongoing and Reviewable Resourcing Scheme; if so, what was the fiscal impact of the funding received?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
The Government provides a capped pool of funding for private schools, with the amount given to each school calculated on a per pupil basis. With the exception of 2005, the proprietors of Church College have chosen not to access that subsidy. The school accepted funding of $690,000 in 2005.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Is it correct that the additional funding that was provided to Church College—given that it had not received any funding since 1958—in fact cost the Government nothing, because of the funding cap on independent schools?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
In effect, yes. The school has not claimed funding, so the only funding made available to it is that $690,000.
Moana MackeyHon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
We have come a long way since the early 1990s, when school funding did not keep up with inflation in real terms. Total funding for New Zealand schools is now more than $4 billion a year, which is up from less than $3 billion a year in 1999. The massive increase in funding has provided for 3,040 extra teachers above those required for roll growth, new classrooms, buildings, and increases every year in the operational funding for schools. When it comes to making real investments in education, this Government’s record is second to none.
Hon Bill EnglishNow that the Minister has told us that funding for students in the State system has increased by over 35 percent per head, why is it that he despises young New Zealand citizens who attend private schools so much that he has made sure their funding has been cut by about 30 percent per head?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I reflect on the fact that the member is putting words into the mouths of other people—in the way he usually does—by saying people are despised, when, of course, they are not. Students who attend private schools are wonderful young New Zealanders, just like all other young New Zealanders. Now, of course, members on the Opposition side of the House are beginning the process of shouting, which is what they normally do, as well. I say to the member, our policy is extremely clear and was articulated well by Trevor Mallard during his time as Minister—that is, the Government capped that fund at around $40 million, and has been clear about capping it since then.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Can the Minister confirm, as he seems to have done, that the cost since 1999 or 2000 of schooling has had an increase of 35 percent and that the number of students going to independent schools has increased by 25 percent, yet the Government still spends exactly the same amount as it did in 2000 on independent schools?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I can confirm that private schools receive around $40 million a year in Government subsidies, and that reflects the notion that Labour put forward in its 1999 election manifesto—that is, to cap the level of funding. That has been our policy since that time. But I say the portion of all students attending private schools has remained fairly constant, ranging from about 3.3 percent to 3.7 percent of all students, during that period of time.