9. Question No. 9—EducationDr VANESSA WEENINK (National—Banks Peninsula) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 9—Education9. Dr VANESSA WEENINK (National—Banks Peninsula) to the Minister of Education: What recent announcements has she made about specialist schools in New Zealand?Hon ERICA STANFORD (Minister of Education): I was incredibly proud to recently announce a landmark $89 million investment in specialist schools that will improve the condition of classrooms around New Zealand for some of our learners with the most diverse complex and fragile needs. This funding secures the rebuild of Sommerville Maitai and Sir Keith Park specialist schools in addition to a $26 million investment in 17 new satellite classrooms based in mainstream schools around the country. This Government believes in parental choice and by upgrading and expanding specialist schools we are providing this choice. To the 681 families who are on a waiting list to access specialist schools this investment will mean more enrolments. I am delighted that our Government has been able to provide targeted investment to upgrade and expand the offering of our specialist schools to better meet the needs of families and their tamariki.Dr Vanessa Weenink: What reports has she seen that are supporting her announcements?Hon ERICA STANFORD: A recent report released by the Education Review Office (ERO) entitled Built in not bolted on highlighted some of the most vulnerable learners in our classrooms around the country that are in a terrible state. The ERO report quotes that they are not suitable to meet the needs of students. It's heartbreaking to learn of specialist classrooms that have been closed due to the growth of black mould and mushrooms knowing the impact that this could have on the health and wellbeing of some of our most vulnerable learners. ERO also noted that there have been no new specialist schools built in the last 50 years despite a 62 percent increase in their roll since 2013. The Special Education Principals' Association president said the announcement came after years of under-funding and she's grateful that this Government has strongly positioned specialist education as being part of the continuum of choice for parents backed up with investment in property which is long overdue.Dr Vanessa Weenink: What other changes did the Minister announce as part of this investment?Hon ERICA STANFORD: Well this announcement is just the start and it signals this Government's firm commitment to specialist education provision and parental choice in education. ERO's report noted that specialist schools offer students a highly adapted programme of learning tailored to their abilities and interests and that all 27 specialist day schools employ a specialist workforce who support students' overall development. In line with ERO's recommendations this Government will include specialist schools and satellite classrooms in network planning to better reflect demand and reduce wait times for this type of provision. The expansion of satellite classrooms will also make more of the specialist support available in mainstream settings and foster collaborative practice amongst our teachers.Dr Vanessa Weenink: What feedback has she seen about this announcement?Hon ERICA STANFORD: I've received strong support from across the sector. The principal of Blomfield Special School said she was delighted with the announcement of two new satellite teaching spaces at Bay of Islands College and felt relieved for whānau in the mid-North who did not have anywhere for current satellite students to go after primary school. I wish to just share a quick message with the House from a parent of a seven-year-old who has autism. They are on a waiting list for access to a specialist satellite classroom. She wrote: It will be life changing for our son if we can get him into a unit." She spoke of the benefits of being able to work with specialist teachers and aids with the hope that he will be able to attend school full time for the first time in his life. Those stories and those parents are why our Government has made this investment and it is just the start."