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Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the Education and Science Select Committee’s report on the inquiry into 21st century learning environments and digital literacy.

Education Minister Hekia Parata today acknowledged the resignation of Secretary for Education Lesley Longstone, and thanked her for her efforts leading the Ministry.

Ms Longstone’s resignation was announced this afternoon by State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie.

“I acknowledge Ms Longstone’s efforts during her time at the Ministry,” Ms Parata said.

“It has been a difficult period and there have been a series of tough issues to deal with.

Tenders are now open for the Pacific Early Learning Mobile Outreach Service says Pacific Island Affairs Minister Hekia Parata.

“The Ministries of Pacific Island Affairs and Education have worked together to establish a Pacific Mobile Early Childhood Education (ECE) service which will promote the value of ECE to Pacific parents in targeted areas and at community events,” says Ms Parata.

Education Minister Hekia Parata welcomes Fonterra’s nationwide ‘Milk for Schools’ rollout to all New Zealand primary schools today. 

“I congratulate Fonterra for this great initiative. As a Government we continue to encourage business communities and other agencies to work together with our school communities to grow the momentum of raising achievement for five out of five kids,” says Ms Parata.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today welcomed the formation of a combined Board of Trustees for Kelston Deaf Education Centre and van Asch Deaf Education Centre.

“Today’s celebration marks a significant step towards providing a nationally consistent service for learners who are deaf or hearing impaired.

“The van Asch and Kelston Boards have each provided strong leadership in the past. The formation of the new Board will combine those strengths and provide unified leadership for the two Deaf Education Centres.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says the safety of children is paramount and was at the forefront during the process to expand the Intensive Wraparound Service and close two and retain two residential schools.

Ms Parata says she will carefully consider yesterday’s High Court’s decision on the closure of Salisbury School.

“The judgment identified issues that I now need to consider in any fresh decision about the school. I will take some time to do that but I am not going to appeal this decision.’’

Education Minister Hekia Parata says two international research studies on student achievement released tonight confirm that more work must be done to improve our education system.

“While we have a good education system overall there are persistent signs of under-performance. The findings of these studies must serve as a wakeup call.  We cannot take for granted that our overall achievement at the senior end of our system can be maintained if we do not improve the system all the way through.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the decision by PPTA members to ratify a new secondary teachers’ collective agreement (STCA).

“I want to thank secondary school teachers for the great work they do and congratulate the advocates from the PPTA and the Ministry of Education for reaching this very successful outcome,’’ says Ms Parata.

“This is a very good settlement for secondary school teachers and the Government.’’

An agreement, which will increase education cooperation between New Zealand and China, has been signed in Wellington today.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says the agreement will enhance business opportunities for New Zealand’s university, polytechnic and skills sectors.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has thanked all the school communities in greater Christchurch who have provided submissions on the Government’s Education Renewal Plans.

The Ministry of Education has received submissions from all 31 schools proposed for merger and closure, plus two from Aranui cluster schools, who had been given until 7 March to return their submissions

“I would like to thank all the school communities for participating in the consultation process over the last two and a half months and preparing their submissions.

Hon. Dr. Pita Sharples, Associate Minister of Education, has today announced the establishment of Puawaitanga scholarships for students enrolling in a Tutahi Maori Boarding School. These scholarships will be awarded to young people who demonstrate leadership potential, to help them to attend either Hato Paora College, Hato Petera College, Hukarere Girls College, St Joseph’s Maori Girls College, Te Aute College or Turakina Maori Girls College.

Education Minister Hekia Parata and Associate Minister Craig Foss today confirmed the site for a new primary school in the Queenstown area.

The three-hectare site in the Shotover development, adjacent to the Lake Hayes Estate, is located in an area expected to experience significant population growth in the next 15 years.

Hekia Parata said: “Confirmation of the agreement to purchase is excellent news. Queenstown is growing and the community needs extra schooling capacity. The Shotover site is well-located and will ensure young learners are well-catered for.

Associate Education Minister Craig Foss has welcomed confirmation that the Novopay payroll project will be the subject of an independent review.

“While the Ministry of Education’s new payroll project is still in its early stages, the number of issues resulting from the payroll transition has been unacceptable. The review will be comprehensive and thorough,” says Mr Foss.

The independent post implementation review will commence in early 2013.

A new initiative aimed at raising achievement among Pasifika students has been launched by the Government today in Auckland.

The Pasifika Education Plan 2013-2017, which has been developed by the Education and Pacific Island Affairs Ministries sets out how ministries can work together with other agencies, schools and communities to help raise achievement among Pasifika students.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says the Government’s unrelenting focus on raising achievement for all children has played a key role in the increase in New Zealanders satisfied with the New Zealand education system.

The latest Kiwis Count survey, released today by the State Services Commission, shows an improvement in the number of people satisfied with the education system.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has welcomed the He Kai Kei Aku Ringa report from the Māori Economic Development Panel saying it is very consistent with her own approach to improving Māori outcomes in the education system.

“He Kai Kei Aku Ringa is a very helpful piece of work. It makes clear, quality education, skills and training are cornerstones of a productive and thriving economy, and I look forward to the work already under way in the education portfolio contributing to the Government’s Māori Economic Development agenda.’’

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced the appointment of Karen Sewell as an advisor and the membership of the three advisory boards, who will continue to engage with greater Christchurch on the Government’s education renewal programme.

Former principal and Secretary for Education Karen Sewell will work directly with school communities to ensure their concerns and aspirations are being heard.

Many people have shown an interest in Partnership Schools |Kura Hourua. 

As the Minister responsible for this policy, I warmly encourage everyone to participate in a crucial stage of its development.

Education Minister Hekia Parata would like to thank the 35 school communities in greater Christchurch who took the time to meet with her over the last two weeks.

Ms Parata visited 35 of the 37 schools proposed for closure or merger as part of the Government’s Education Renewal Plan.

“I would like to thank those schools’ communities for their engagement, generosity of spirit, and commitment to their children’s educational future. I got a real sense of each community and their hopes and plans for their children’s education.

Education Minister Hekia Parata is pleased to announce the resolution of a long-standing administrative error over relief staffing entitlements.

The error saw some schools receiving more short-term relief staffing entitlement than others and meant an additional $68.2m went into the sector in 2011.

Ms Parata says the extra resource will be kept within the sector and following an agreement with sector organisations will be distributed equitably amongst all schools and learners from 2013.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says her engagement with schools proposed for closure or merger in greater Christchurch has so far been extremely thoughtful and constructive.

Ms Parata has offered to visit all the schools proposed for closure or merger in greater Christchurch.  Of the 37 schools the Minister wrote to, 35 have taken her up on her offer.

Ms Parata visited 12 schools last week and will return to Christchurch today for the remainder of the week to meet with the other 23 schools.

Education Minister Hekia Parata expresses her condolences at the loss of a great legacy in early education in New Zealand, Dame Marie Bell, CNZM.

"My condolences to Dame Marie Bell’s family during this time. She was an example of someone committed to on-going learning throughout her lifetime,” says Ms Parata.

Education Minister Hekia Parata wishes all NCEA students in New Zealand the best during their examinations.

"As NCEA examinations begin on 9 November, it is a critical time for our students and I wish them the very best during their examinations. Our Government's education plan aims for five out of five students getting the qualifications they need to reach their potential. We want the best for all our students.

Education Minister Hekia Parata has today announced the integration of Wanganui Collegiate School into the state network of schools.

“This has been a difficult and drawn out process. Wanganui Collegiate has been working towards integration for the last two years and the Wanganui Collegiate community will be pleased to see a successful outcome.