Budget 2019 funding for students at risk

Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin has announced additional funding of $9.8 million to support students who are at risk of disengaging from education.

Associate Education Minister Tracey Martin has announced additional funding of $9.8 million to support students who are at risk of disengaging from education.

The funding, which is available from 1 July 2019, includes:

  • an additional $5.8 million funding over four years for Alternative Education providers
  • an additional $1.4 million funding in the next three years for attendance service providers
  • $2.6 million additional funding over four years for Te Kura’s pilot programme for at risk students.

Disengaged students are more likely to leave education without the skills and qualifications they need to transition successfully into employment.

Alternative Education providers, who work with students at risk of disengaging from education, will receive a $5.8 million funding boost.  This will support them to better cater to the 1,888 students in their care, while the future design of alternative education is worked through.

The Attendance Service works with students and their whānau where a student is not enrolled in a school, or has had persistent non-attendance.  More than 18,000 students were referred to the service in 2018. 

The Te Kura Big Picture programme provides face-to-face learning opportunities, pastoral support and personalised learning programmes for students who have disengaged, or are at risk of disengaging from education.

Minister Martin announced the funding during a visit to Koraunui Manaaki Akoranga on 17 June 2019, where she met with students and staff.  Shown in the photo (R-L): Kathleen, Hon Tracey Martin, Isiah, Tama, AJ, Raige, Philomena Heka (Alternative Education Manager), Heneriata Gemmell (Koraunui Marae Manager). Kneeling: Maxymus. Back: Shane Te Kira.

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