-
Related
An arrangement between a Tokoroa school and a school in Murupara is raising concerns among officials at the Ministry of Education.
Tokoroa's Arorangi school is under scrutiny over a method it uses to get government funding. The private school does not charge fees so it is trying to get state help by enrolling its pupils at a Maori immersion school in Murupara, 100 kilometres away.
Arorangi's founder John Stevens says he has spent hundreds of thousands of dollars bankrolling the school, whose principles are based on the teachings of Indian spiritual leader Sathya Sai Baba, hoping it would eventually be integrated into the state education system.
But, with only 47 pupils enrolled, the school could not be accepted into the education system. Stevens found a solution by enrolling his pupils with the Murupara school and any taxpayer funding would be passed on.
Stevens says the children are enrolled in the head or host school and the funding is directed through.
This arrangement has upset teachers in Tokoroa where three primary schools have closed because of falling rolls.
Education Minister Trevor Mallard says he is surprised by the arrangement and the ministry will be investigating the situation.
The Education Ministry will meet the Maori immersion school in Murupara on Tuesday to discuss its role in helping this school stay open.
Latest Breakfast Video
-
te-karere-121111-fri - te-karere-121111-fri (0:22:30)
-
Marae Investigates - Series 2012, Episode 13
-
Marae Investigates - Series 2011, Episode 15 (0:29:10)
