New Zealand: Government Promotes Private Schools Over Public Schools

A recent report highlighted a Government initiative to spend NZD2.6 million (USD1.8 million) on Aspire scholarships for children of low income families to attend private schools. The report typifies the priorities of this Government and indicates that the private sector is better than the public sector. The former principal of Glendowie College, Lindsay Adams, feels that Government is paying students to leave the public education system.

The New Zealand government increased funding for private schools in the 2009 budget and slashed funding for Adult and Community Education provided through secondary schools.