The National and ACT experiment with charter schools that ran from 2014 to 2018 cost up to $48,421 per student annually, more than six times the average funding spent on students in state schools, new OIA documents released to NZEI Te Riu Roa show.
When adjusted for inflation, that is more than $60,000 per student in today’s money. In comparison today, public schools are funded at around $9,000 per student.
The total cost to taxpayers of the failed charter school experiment was more than $125 million.
NZEI Te Riu Roa President Mark Potter says trying to revive the failed initiative of charter schools makes no sense.
"It is absurd that the Government is even thinking about reintroducing this failed and highly expensive policy at the same time as they are backtracking on vital school building projects that put a roof over the heads of our akonga.
"Charter schools are a proven waste of taxpayer money. Schools need funding directed to areas where systemic change is sorely needed, such as learning support and smaller class sizes, rather than wasting public money experimenting with charter schools. That money would be much better spent on initiatives that benefit all students, such as a teacher aide in every classroom, or timely learning support interventions."
The documents also show the huge bureaucratic burden charter schools put on the Ministry of Education, with nearly 30% of the cost (over $35m) being departmental, back-office spending.
ENDS
Recent media releases
-
Early childhood teachers take action on day of pay parity funding freeze
Early childhood teachers, educators, and supporters are taking action across the country tomorrow as the freeze on teachers’ pay parity rates comes into effect.
-
Teachers burned on pay equity hit negotiating table
Primary school teachers head into collective agreement negotiations tomorrow for the first time since the Government scrapped their pay equity claim.
-
Early childhood teachers aghast as Government eyes quality vs cost trade-off
Teachers are horrified the Government has told a group reviewing early childhood education funding they should consider making trade-offs between quality education and cost.