Simmonds – Back to School & Back to Basics

It’s back to school and back to basics for Southland students returning to the classroom for 2024, Invercargill MP Penny Simmonds says.

“Southland primary and intermediate students, in years 0 – 8, who are returning to school this week will be taught reading, writing and maths for an average of one hour a day in each subject.

“These are the first steps in the coalition Government’s plan to lift student achievement, as we make sure schools are teaching the basics brilliantly, so every child can succeed.

“Student achievement has continued to decline, as evidenced in both international benchmarks and national measurements. This has to stop.

“Parents in Southland, and across the country, want to know that their children are being given the best educational opportunities they can.

“Having a consistent and explicit approach to teaching reading, writing and maths, across the country, will help provide all children with a strong educational foundation.

“This Government has an aspirational target to get 80 percent of our kids achieving at the curriculum level by the time they finish intermediate – so that they can go on to experience academic success at secondary school.

“We are establishing the groundwork, so that our young people can have a brighter future, and in a place like Southland, that’s exactly what we want to see.

I’ve got a young grand-daughter off to school for the first time this week, joining her older brother, so the excitement of the new school year is very real for our family.

“I wish teachers and students, across the province, the very best for 2024. Enjoy your school days.”

Published by arrangement.