The Parents’ Alliance is calling on the
National Party to clarify what its projected fiscal
restraint and tighter operating allowances would mean for
education funding.
“Parents, teachers and school
leaders deserve certainty about the future of education
funding,” said Parents’ Alliance Chair Cameron
Bagrie.
“We are seeking answers from the
National Party on what their fiscal projections and tighter
operating allowances mean for education, and whether they
believe it is acceptable for education investment to fall as
a share of the economy.”
Treasury’s Pre-election
Economic and Fiscal Update shows core Crown education
spending at $20.9 billion in 2024/25, or 4.8 per cent of
GDP. On current baselines it stays flat at around $22
billion a year to 2030/31 while the economy grows, taking
education’s share of GDP down to 3.8 per cent – lower
than any year in Treasury’s records dating back to
1972.
National’s fiscal plan provides limited room for
new spending after meeting health commitments, raising
questions about how future education priorities, including
learning support, and implementation of the new secondary
qualification will be funded.
“Education is an
investment in New Zealand’s future,” Mr Bagrie
said.
“Education spending as a share of GDP is
projected to fall to levels not seen in more than 50 years.
New Zealanders deserve to know whether that is a deliberate
policy choice and what it will mean for
classrooms.”
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“The question is simple: if operating
allowances are tightening, how much of that restraint will
be borne by education, and what will the consequences be for
students?”
About the Parents’
Alliance: The Parents’ Alliance Te Kotahitanga o
ngā Mātua, Le Lotogatasi o Mātua, ,
is a national group
building a collective voice for parents, grandparents and
whānau in education.
More information: parentsalliance.nz
