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Geneva Tino - Source: ONE News -
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The family of a disabled teenager are appealing to the government to keep funding for therapists to help students in school.
Funding of $2.5 million for therapists will be phased out and the Opposition said this means disabled students starting secondary school will miss out.
Seventeen-year old Geneva Tino has cerebral palsy and is part of the inclusion support centre at Waitakere College, one of 23 schools to get government funding.
Tino needs a therapist to help her with school work and that is currently being paid for by the government, who argue that no-one will miss out in the funding cut.
However, today, Labour's Lynn Pillay took a petition to a Parliamentary Select Committee opposing the move.
She said while existing students will not be affected, disabled students starting secondary school will miss out on the crucial help.
"I think it's appalling. It's $2.5 million - it's a pittance and it enables students to reach their full potential."
But National's Associate Education Minister, Heather Roy, insisted that no student would miss out on funding help.
"You are assuming that money has gone forever - it's not. It's part of the $450 million that already exists and is just being looked at in other ways," she said.
It will be looked at in a review that goes to Cabinet next month.
