Power Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
Power Simon: Questions for Oral Answer — Questions to Ministers 
[Volume:619;Page:15024] 
10.  
SIMON POWER (National—Rangitikei) 
 to the  
Minister of Education 
: Is he satisfied that the Government’s funding formula for schools is providing enough money and flexibility to provide the standard of education expected by parents and caregivers; if so why? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Acting Minister of Education) 
: 
 Yes this Government continues to be committed to ensuring that schools are resourced adequately. School boards have the flexibility to allocate their staffing and operational funding as they wish which enables them to focus on the educational priorities of their particular students. 
Simon Power 
: If the current funding arrangements are so satisfactory why do public schools throughout the country engage in community fund-raising and other money-making ventures in order to finance 3800 extra teachers? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: I do not know why they do that. I will quote somebody whom the member will know who said in answer to the question about whether schools should be fund-raising that they were “awash with cash and we do not think throwing more money at these schools is going to solve the problem.” Bill English said that. 
Helen Duncan 
: How does the Government support schools financially? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: Since 2001 schools have been provided with nearly 2100 extra full-time teacher equivalents at an annual cost of $127 million over and above the number of teachers required for roll growth. In addition operational funding has been increased by 10 percent per student in real terms—that is over and above inflation—since 1999 and discretionary funding for which schools are eligible to apply has also increased considerably in recent years. The Government has increased funding of in-kind support to the tune of about $346 million per year which is equivalent to 34 percent additional operational funding. 
Simon Power 
: If he believes that State funding is sufficient to provide for all educational needs why do Ministry of Education figures show that almost half a billion dollars of school revenue is garnered from local funds including from international students’ school fees and fund-raising efforts? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: The member knows that fund-raising has always been a part of the school scene. In his own electorate he is enjoying 52 extra teachers above roll growth. There are 42 extra management units in his own electorate. He should be on his knees grateful that he has a Labour-led Government. 
Simon Power 
: I ask the Minister—[ 
Interruption 
] Have members had their last warning? [ 
Interruption 
] 
Mr SPEAKER 
: The member has finally absolutely exhausted my patience. The member will stand withdraw and apologise for making a comment that was a deliberate attempt to influence me. 
Hon Dr Nick Smith 
: I withdraw and apologise. 
Simon Power 
: Why does he expect parents to support the use of education funding to pay union members $500 in hush money for signing a new collective agreement when those very same parents are having to delve into their own pockets in order to ensure schools have enough teachers to begin with? 
Hon STEVE MAHAREY 
: This is not hush money. If it occurs it will be part of the settlement. Parents want settled schools which they will get. Once again that member should be on his knees—grateful that his schools will settle and get on with teaching kids.