Good News for Local Schools
Last week Parliament was in recess and it was a great opportunity for me to get around my electorate and catch up with people.
I visited quite a few schools and opened a new extension at the Sunshine Kid Day Care Centre. It’s great to see the progress our kids are making and the investment being made at early childhood centres and in our schools.
Last week the Education Minister Anne Tolley confirmed that a new primary school will be built soon in Waikanae.
This is great news for Waikanae and the Kapiti District as both of the current primary schools are close to chocka. We need to plan for the future and buying a site now is an important first step.
I’ve been highlighting this issue with the Education Minister for some time now and it’s great she has recognised this need and provided new funding.
The new school will cover 7.5 acres and accommodate up to 400 kids, including an early childhood centre which parents will be rapt to hear about.
Recently around $1 million has gone into building more facilities at Waikanae School to cope with roll growth over the next few years until the new school gets up and running.
Kapiti has been one of the fastest growing regions in the country and more people are choosing to come here because it’s a very friendly, family-orientated community.
Good things are happening in Horowhenua schools too. Earlier this year Prime Minister John Key opened Poroutawhao primary school’s new $150,000 multipurpose classroom, and Levin School built a new classroom last year. Soon Koputaroa School will also be opening a new classroom that I had a tour of last week.
Budget 2010 provided an extra $1.4 billion for schools and early childhood education over the next four years. This is a great investment in the future, particularly given how tight the government’s finances are.
The National-led government wants every young New Zealander to reach their potential and have the chance to succeed, which is why education is such a big priority for our government.
Minister for Education, Hon Anne Tolley and Hon Nathan Guy