12. Question No. 12—EducationSAM UFFINDELL (National—Tauranga) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 12—Education12. SAM UFFINDELL (National—Tauranga) to the Minister of Education: What reports has she seen about her recent announcement on the ministerial inquiry into school property?Hon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education): There have been many reports on the ministerial inquiry into school property. Schools and principals around the country have been sharing their frustrations with delays and lack of certainty over the last few years. The Secondary Principals Association welcomed the review and the president said that longstanding issues with school property had become horribly acute". The Auckland Primary Principals' Association President said primary schools are facing the same issues with school property and that the costs for bespoke school builds had got out of hand. School property is a priority for this Government. We have a responsibility to invest in property solutions that demonstrate value for money.Sam Uffindell: What has she heard from schools since she announced the inquiry?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Principals have been in touch with my office sharing stories of their frustrations. One principal wrote to share that after prefab buildings were demolished at their school in early 2023 building that was due to commence in July did not start. Instead there have been delays reviews a business case a review by an investment board a detailed design a consent process and then a soft hold. Another principal wrote to me today to say "I believe that this is very timely indeed as many principals and boards have had grave concerns for a number of years."Sam Uffindell: What other feedback has she received about the announcement?Hon ERICA STANFORD: An industry leader in the construction sector wrote to me saying "A massive thank you for getting on to this total mess. I watch in despair at what our schools are being put through." Another letter from a senior project architect expressed a concern that Ministry of Education requirements are contributing significant and unnecessary costs to projects. I also heard that "Aspects of the briefs are gold-bricked" and that "A silver standard will more than adequately meet education requirements while at the same time delivering better value for the taxpayer."Sam Uffindell: Why is this inquiry needed?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Schools and communities deserve better. As I said in the House yesterday these challenges are due not only to building cost increases but also in the ministry's own words to scope creep and over-reliance on bespoke designs and over-engineering add-ons like extensive landscaping and infrastructure. It is imperative that we deliver the core infrastructure needs of schools and the ministerial inquiry will consider how we best achieve a portfolio that is efficient and effective and delivers learning spaces that are functional warm dry and fit for purpose.Tākuta Ferris: How much longer will kura kaupapa wharekura and kura ā iwi—all Māori immersion schools who have already been waiting for decades for their classroom rebuilds—have to wait for their school rebuild projects to be delivered in order to provide for our tamariki the best possible learning environments; and how long will this Government's inquiry take and what is the time line for our kura receiving the school rebuilds that have already been promised to them? Hon ERICA STANFORD: The ministerial inquiry is set down for three months."