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More communities will benefit from an acclaimed school literacy programme, Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Dr Pita Sharples say.  

An extra $2.4 million of operating funding over the next four years will go to the Reading Together Programme so it can expand to include more than 140 decile 4 and 5 schools.

Reading Together is a research-based programme that helps parents to support their children's reading at home.

The Budget allocates $2.5 million in additional operating funding in 2014/15 to continue to provide more computers in homes and digital literacy training for low-income families, Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye say.

“This increased funding means up to 1,500 more low-income families will learn basic computer skills and be provided with access to the internet,” Ms Parata says.

“This will result in families being more engaged with their children’s education.

Budget 2014 invests a total of $172.5 million of capital from the Future Investment Fund and $111.5 million of operating funding over the next four years in new schools, classrooms and other school property improvements, Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye say.

This follows the $134 million in capital investment in new schools in Budget 2013.

“The new funding is part of the Government’s wider plans to modernise schools in order to contribute to raising achievement for every child and young person,” Ms Parata says.

Schools’ operational grants will increase by 2 per cent at a cost of $85.3 million over the next four years, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

“This new funding will bring the total amount spent on school operational grants to $1.23 billion during 2014/15,” she says. “These increases will help schools cover increases in operating costs, including the costs of non-teaching staff.

A further $155.7 million over four years will be invested in early childhood education (ECE) services in Budget 2014 to help give all children a great start in life, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

“This Government is focused on making sure all young children can get access to quality ECE services,” Ms Parata says. 

“Government spending on ECE has almost doubled, from over $800 million in 2007/08 to $1.5 billion in 2013/14.

The Government will invest $857.8 million over the next four years and the remainder of this year for new education initiatives and sector support, Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

“Despite the tight fiscal environment, this will take total spending on early childhood, primary and secondary education to $10.1 billion in 2014/15,” Ms Parata says.

“This is a significant investment in our children and New Zealand’s future, and is part of a comprehensive range of practical measures in Budget 2014 to help families and children.