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Ngaio Primary School will receive a major property upgrade worth almost $3.3 million, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“I am very pleased that an agreement has been reached with the Ngaio School Board to undertake several much-needed upgrades concurrently.

“We are also using this opportunity to provide some exciting new learning spaces for the students that will assist in the delivery of the curriculum. Bundling the work into one project will help to reduce disruption to the students and staff.”

The Government is investing more than $22 million in the redevelopment of four schools across North Canterbury, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“The funding will be used to expand and upgrade Oxford Area School, Rangiora Borough School, Ashgrove School and Southbrook School as part of the Government’s ongoing investment to ensure that schools have buildings fit for purpose and that provide safe and inspiring modern learning environments,” Ms Kaye says.

Work to address weathertightness issues is now complete with today’s opening of  a $4 million technology block at Northcross Intermediate School in Auckland, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

The two-storey building features a food and nutrition technology kitchen, a sound and light-proof media suite with green screen capability, hard and soft technology workshops, and a graphics studio.

“This impressive new space boasts modern learning spaces for students and staff, providing a fresh approach to learning and teaching,” says Ms Kaye.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced that the National-led Government will invest at least $350 million over the next four years to build new schools and classrooms in the rapidly growing Auckland region.

Ms Kaye made the announcement during a visit to Ponsonby Primary School with Prime Minister John Key.

“New Zealand is growing strongly and the school network will come under pressure in different parts of the country as the population grows,” Ms Kaye says.

The first phase of weathertightness repairs to Gisborne Intermediate School is now complete, Associate Minister of Education Nikki Kaye says.

The $2.3 million project is being carried out in three phases as part of the Ministry of Education’s Building Improvement Programme, which was set up in 2009 to manage the testing and remediation of school buildings affected by water damage.

“The administration building has been re-clad and re-roofed, and work on the  technology block will begin this month,” Ms Kaye says.

The rollout of fast internet to schools is almost five months ahead of schedule with 700 schools now connected to the Government’s Managed Network, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“The 700th connection was the target for the end of the first year so it is great news that this milestone has been reached so early. It is a tribute to the team at Network for Learning (N4L) to have connected so many schools so quickly,” Ms Kaye says.

Today is significant for the Kawerau community with a ceremony to mark the start of construction of new facilities at Tarawera High School,  Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“The $15.6 million redevelopment of the school reflects the importance the Government  places on raising student achievement in Kawerau and on providing a fresh start for the school and local community.

Teacher-training institutions can now access a digital resource that enables schools to share learning resources and best practices, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

Pond, the online learning hub built by Crown-owned company Network for Learning, aims to become a central environment in digital discovery and participation for schools.

The Government is investing $14.9 million in Rangiora High School to upgrade its buildings and facilities and to accommodate a growing roll, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“Rangiora High School has experienced a significant roll increase following the Christchurch earthquakes. It has a large number of relocatable classrooms in very poor condition, and property issues have compounded over time to the point where a substantial redevelopment is required.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the establishment of an ICT Advisory Service to help schools make the most of their new connections to the Managed Network.

In the interim, a targeted service will be delivered by Network For Learning (N4L). This will enable a tender process for the provision of a more comprehensive Learning Technologies Advisory Service to be completed.

The Ministry of Education aims to repair a further 15 quake-damaged school pools in the greater Christchurch area with most due for completion in time for the 2015 school year, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye said today.

“The pools repair programme is being funded as part of the government’s $1.137 billion investment over 10 years in education renewal in greater Christchurch,” Ms Kaye says.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today confirmed that a $200,000 project is under way to provide Christchurch students, particularly those in low-decile schools, with better access to digital learning.

“The aim of the programme being run by the Greater Christchurch Schools Network (GCSN) is that every student aged nine and over from participating schools will be able to access online learning both at school and at home,” Ms Kaye says.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today announced the appointment of Dr Karen Poutasi to the board of Network for Learning (N4L).

N4L is the Crown company responsible for the Government’s $211 million investment in a managed network for schools, which will provide quick and reliable internet complete with uncapped data, web filtering and network security services.

The government’s building programme for new schools is breaking fresh ground by ensuring new schools meet exacting environmental building standards, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“Children are reaping the benefits of learning in classrooms with plenty of natural light and warmth, and featuring energy efficient lighting and heating.

“Additionally, schools with energy efficient lighting and heating benefit from reduced operating costs and long-term maintenance costs,” Ms Kaye says.

A new, modern-trades academy at Southern Cross Campus will create better career pathways for local students, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

Ms Kaye will attend a sod-turning ceremony at the Mangere, Auckland campus this morning, marking the start of construction of the $20m redevelopment.

“The ceremony signals to the Mangere community that the campus is moving forward and that the young people of this community will have high-quality facilities to support their learning,” Ms Kaye says.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye has announced funding for new classrooms at Arrowtown Primary School, in response to a growing population.

The $2.4 million investment to build six classrooms will provide modern learning environments that are enjoyable to teach in and learn in, Ms Kaye says.

“This Government has a vision for a sustainable network of schools that can accommodate the rapidly growing Queenstown area.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye today confirmed the start of the school facilities management pilot project, which will offer schools the ability to reduce their role in school property management.

“The facilities management service is a voluntary service for schools and boards of trustees that want to step away from day-to-day property management,” Ms Kaye says.

The Ministry of Education programme will consider the most appropriate mix of services and likely cost that could be provided to maintain and improve school property.

Schools are to receive a significant increase in funding courtesy of a new initiative that will see them benefit further from the sale of surplus school houses, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

“There are about 1,900 school houses on Ministry administered land with a total value of over $300 million,” Ms Kaye says. “This change will enable us to reduce long-term vacancies, sell houses that are no longer required for education purposes, and manage the Ministry land portfolio more effectively.”

The rollout of fast internet to schools has reached a milestone ahead of schedule, with 500 schools now connected to the Government’s Managed Network, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye announced today.

The Government is investing $211 million in the Network for Learning (N4L) programme, which will provide quick and reliable internet complete with uncapped data, web filtering and network security services for participating New Zealand schools.

Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye has today released a report showing that widespread and mobile access to the internet will lead to new and significant opportunities and challenges for the education system.

Associate Minister of Education Nikki Kaye today released recommendations to improve Special Education School Transport Assistance (SESTA).

“Last year I established an independent reference group to provide advice on how best to improve SESTA services for special education students,” Ms Kaye says.

The group has been chaired by Graeme Daniel, Principal of Allenvale Special School and President of the Special Education Principals’ Association. Members represent the special education and disability sectors, commercial operators and government.

The Government is investing $7.6 million in Warkworth School to upgrade its buildings and facilities, Associate Education Minister Nikki Kaye says.

“The increased funding is to be used to replace the old buildings that make up the majority of the junior school, and replace some permanent buildings past their useful life. The redevelopment will also address onsite flooding from poor drainage that causes dampness beneath school buildings,” says Ms Kaye.

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.