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Associate Minister of Education Rodney Hide today thanked retiring Secretary for Education Karen Sewell for the enormous contribution she has made during the 45 years she has worked in the sector, and paid tribute to her dedication and commitment to the education of New Zealand children.

"In the short time that I have had the opportunity to work with Karen I have been able to see firsthand the commitment and passion that she has brought to the role of Secretary of Education," Mr Hide said.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has thanked the Secretary for Education, Karen Sewell, for her commitment to public service following the announcement that Ms Sewell is to retire at the end of July.

“Karen has dedicated her life to education, and deserves praise for her hard work in lifting the achievement levels of students in New Zealand,” says Mrs Tolley.

“During an impressive career in the education sector, Karen has made an important contribution in her various roles.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says the opening of a new kindergarten in Counties Manukau means the National-led Government has now created 1198 early childhood education places in the area.

Mrs Tolley officially opened the Early Learning Counties Manukau Alfriston service today, which was built with $1.3 million of Government funding, and will offer fifty additional places for children.

“The Government has now created 27 ECE services in Counties Manukau, an area where children had few opportunities to participate in ECE in the past,” says Mrs Tolley.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that a National Standards pilot programme to accelerate maths learning has seen significant improvements in a short space of time for struggling students.

Overall, students achieved 80 per cent of a year’s progress after just ten weeks of intensive teaching, with some children making over a year’s improvements in ten weeks.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says that 97 per cent of Christchurch schools are set to have re-opened by the middle of this week.

151 schools will be open tomorrow, with that figure due to rise to 157 by Wednesday.

“Schools are doing a magnificent job in making sure students can return to learning, either at their own school site or sharing a site with another school,” says Mrs Tolley.

“I’m also pleased to say that for the first time since the earthquake, the number of Christchurch students enrolled around the country has started to fall.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the decision by the secondary teachers’ union, PPTA, to agree a new pay settlement.

“This settlement, subject to ratification by members, is fantastic news for students, parents and schools,” says Mrs Tolley.

“It removes the threat of further industrial action, which has caused disruption for families.

“I also want to congratulate the bargaining team at the Ministry of Education and the union negotiators for all their efforts.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says 143 Christchurch schools, 88 per cent of the total number, will have re-opened by the end of this week.

It is also expected that 234 early childhood education services, or 69 per cent, will be open.

“Schools and ECE services have worked incredibly hard to re-open,” says Mrs Tolley.

“This is great news for Christchurch parents, students and young children who want some kind of certainty and normality.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says that 80 schools in Christchurch have now re-opened for students, with that number set to rise to at least 110 by the start of next week.

“This has been a marvellous effort by everyone involved,” says Mrs Tolley.

“Principals, teachers, parents and the Ministry have worked incredibly hard to re-open schools and get students back into education, and this fantastic progress is continuing at other schools.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has presented new School Journals featuring stories and illustrations about Moriori to Chatham Islands schools.

“For the first time Moriori have an authentic voice in the pages of the School Journal,” says Mrs Tolley.

“These journals will help children to learn about the Moriori culture and history.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says an Order of Council has been passed which allows the Minister and Secretary for Education to act quickly to get Christchurch students back into education as soon as possible.

“We need to restore education for students affected by the earthquake as soon as we can, but existing legislation is not flexible enough to allow this,” says Mrs Tolley.

“This Order removes any potential roadblocks which could delay schools from opening on their own site, a new site or sharing facilities with another school.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that more than 100 Christchurch schools have now set dates for re-opening, including 21 which are already open again for students.

88 early childhood education centres have now re-opened, with 135 expected to open their doors by the end of the week.

“I want to thank everyone involved for their determination in getting schools and ECE centres up and running as soon as possible for students and young children,” says Mrs Tolley.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says that schools in Christchurch City will begin re-opening from tomorrow.

31 schools have indicated they will be open for students from Monday or over the next few days.

A further 55 schools have also been confirmed as structurally sound and can open for staff immediately, with opening dates for students expected soon.

“I want to thank principals, teachers and parents for all the hard work they are putting into getting their schools open as soon as possible,” says Mrs Tolley.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says that alternative plans are in place for over 1700 students from two of the Christchurch schools severely damaged in last week’s earthquake, with planning well underway for all of the city’s school students.

“We want to get students back in school and provide certainty for families as soon as we possibly can,” says Mrs Tolley.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says over a quarter of schools in Christchurch City have now asked for support to re-open as soon as possible, following last week's earthquake.

“43 schools, more than double yesterday’s total, are determined to open for students as soon as they can, which is extremely encouraging,” says Mrs Tolley.

“These schools will receive all the support they need to provide a safe environment for students, so we can get young people back into learning.”

Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that 19 schools in Christchurch City have indicated they want to re-open later this week or early next week, following the recent earthquake.

“It’s extremely heartening that these schools feel confident enough to re-open,” says Mrs Tolley.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has praised Canterbury teachers and principals for their resilience and positive attitude following the recent earthquake.

"I met with the principals, teachers and board chairs of some of the worst affected schools while in Christchurch today," says Mrs Tolley.

"I was heartened by their determination to get students back into school, or some form of learning, as soon as circumstances allow.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says schools and ECE services in Christchurch City remain closed until further notice, as the extent of damage to school property becomes clearer following the devastating earthquake.

“The Ministry has now identified 18 state schools with major damage as a result of the earthquake,” says Mrs Tolley.

“This is in addition to eleven state-integrated schools and five independent schools which have reported significant damage.

“So far, 100 schools have been assessed as having minor level damage.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says while Christchurch City schools and early childhood education centres remain closed until further notice, some schools in Selwyn and Waimakariri may be able to open after the weekend, following the devastating earthquake.

There are 215 schools across Christchurch, Waimakariri and Selwyn with around 76,000 students, and 415 ECE services.

“We are doing all we can to support schools and ECE centres at this difficult time,” says Mrs Tolley.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has invited parents and teachers in the South Dunedin community to have their say in a second round of consultation about the future of South Dunedin schooling.

“I want to thank the boards of the six schools and their communities for their constructive feedback in the first consultation round,” says Mrs Tolley.

“I have considered all the feedback and I would now like the boards to consult their communities on the revised options.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has welcomed the decision by school principals to ratify the Secondary Principals’ Collective Agreement (SPCA), and has congratulated all of the parties involved.

“The 2011-2013 SPCA is a very good settlement for secondary principals and the Government,” says Mrs Tolley.

“It provides an improved career structure for principals based on professional criteria and service.

Education Minister Anne Tolley says school property has received a massive boost as a result of the Government’s economic stimulus programme.

“Four new schools opened at the start of this year, while 400 new school buildings have resulted from the fast-tracking of publicly-funded projects,” says Mrs Tolley.

“Overall, there have been 18 new schools and rebuilds since 2009.”

“Schools throughout the country have benefited from the stimulus programme, which has created an additional 2000 jobs,” says Mrs Tolley.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has announced that up to 4000 young people will be retained in education and skills training in the year ahead instead of dropping out of the system, as a result of the Youth Guarantee and wider Government initiatives.

“The Youth Guarantee, Trades Academies and Service Academies are making a huge difference to the lives of thousands of Kiwi students and their families,” says Mrs Tolley.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has officially launched the Wellington Trades Academy, which will offer vocational trades and technology training to at least 60 students as part of the Government’s Youth Guarantee.

Thirty Wellington schools will work in partnership with the Wellington Institute of Technology and employers to enable students to earn NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.

Education Minister Anne Tolley has officially launched the Eastern Bay of Plenty Trades Academy in Whakatane, which will offer vocational trades and technology training to 105 students as part of the Government’s Youth Guarantee.

Seven Eastern Bay schools, led by Trident High School, will work in partnership with the Waiariki Institute of Technology and employers to enable students to earn NCEA credits and a tertiary qualification, while gaining practical skills in the workplace.