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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.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today launched a new digital portal for teachers, students and education administrators with Crown-owned company Network for Learning (N4L).

Ms Parata says the Government has invested $211 million in the N4L managed network as a fully funded package for schools and has also tasked the company with developing the portal.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced that building and maintaining four new schools around New Zealand could be delivered using a public private partnership (PPP). 

An invitation for Expressions of Interest will be issued for the design, construction, financing, and maintenance of Aranui Community School and Rolleston Secondary School in greater Christchurch, Wakatipu Secondary School’s new site in Queenstown and a new school in Auckland yet to be confirmed.

A $200 million insurance settlement for earthquake damage to Canterbury schools is an important confidence boost to the education sector in the region says Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee, Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye.

Mr Brownlee says today’s settlement between the Ministry of Education and Vero Insurance is one of the largest insurance pay outs in New Zealand’s history.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye say 212 schools have signed agreements to connect to the Network for Learning (N4L) managed network.

“The pace of connecting schools is gaining momentum. As of today, 212 schools have signed agreements and these communities will be looking forward to being connected in the near future,” Ms Parata says.

“This is great news for our children as they begin the new schooling year over the next couple of weeks.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said today that the Ministry of Education’s Infrastructure Service team has been shortlisted for a global risk management award.

The London-based Institute of Risk Management, with members in over 100 countries, has shortlisted the Ministry of Education in the category of Delivering Value through Risk Management.

“I congratulate the Ministry on being short-listed for the Global Risk Awards 2014,” says Ms Parata.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced Massey Primary in Auckland is the first to connect to the Network for Learning (N4L) managed network.

“Today we are celebrating a significant day for New Zealand schools, as Massey Primary is the first to take advantage of the $211 million that this Government is investing in the managed network,’’ Ms Parata says.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced major property redevelopments for Freemans Bay School and Southern Cross Campus in Auckland.

“We know that great teaching and learning goes on in our schools, but having modern learning environments just makes the whole process of raising achievement for all our young people that much easier,” says Ms Parata.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced a plan to transform the way school property is delivered to better support 21st Century learning environments and improved outcomes for students.

“Just as importantly, it will free up sector leaders, principals and their boards, to focus on the main business of schools – raising achievement,” Ms Parata says.

Today Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced a $15.64m investment in new facilities for Tarawera High School.

“This is a great outcome for the Kawerau community and for the educational future of its young people. This is a significant investment reflecting the importance we place on raising achievement, and success for all,” says Ms Parata.

“We want to deliver a sustainable, modern learning environment for greatest benefit to students, families and whānau and to the Kawerau community as a whole.”

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today confirmed that the Crown-owned company, Network for Learning (N4L), has signed a contract with Telecom to provide a managed network for all New Zealand schools.

“The Government is committed to raising achievement for all children and providing modern learning environments is critical to that,’’ Ms Parata says.

The Government has today announced it will continue funding for Computers in Homes for the next financial year.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says this is possible through moving up to $1.6 million of funding from Vote Education to the Department of Internal Affairs for the purposes of digital literacy.

“Computers in Homes connects families and communities with education and technology that’s why there are three of us making this announcement today,’’ Ms Parata says.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the Government will invest $136 million over the next four years to complete the School Network Upgrade Project (SNUP) by 2016 - two years ahead of schedule.

Of this funding, $50 million is new money and comes from the Future Investment Fund to pay for new public assets.