14% of principals in Te Tai Tokerau Primary Schools state that the lack of resourcing for special education and behaviour is so great, that it's causing real stress and concern for staff and other children.
A survey has recently been conducted by the Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association regarding Special Education and Behavioral concerns within their schools. Over 100 teachers responded to the survey.
51% of principals said that either the lack of appropriate resourcing or the lack of help from outside agencies were the biggest cause of concern for them when dealing with special needs or behaviorally challenging students.
The President of Te Tai Tokerau Principals Association, Pat Newman says these results are damning.
"For far too long schools, principals’ teachers and boards have been blamed for the problems encountered by our students. We are not miracle workers, able to get blood out of a stone. There is a limit to what any teacher or school can achieve. Before Te Tai Tokerau Schools continue to be blamed for supposedly under performing, before money is used for ideas like “flags” and other ideas whose origins come from some politicians political ideology, the real need is to actually resource adequately the huge and growing problem in the north, particularly around behaviorally challenging pupils.”
Newman also adds that the extra $129,000 given to A Charter School at Whangaruru, would have funded "over 7000 hours of paraprofessional support for special education and behaviour throughout Te Tai Tokerau, so don't tell me there is no money available. It's obviously there when it suits."
The survey results show that schools in Te Tai Tokerau should be commended for the success they have managed to achieve, with insufficient resourcing over the years.