8. Question No. 8—EducationJO LUXTON (Labour) to the Minister of EducationQuestion No. 8—Education8. JO LUXTON (Labour) to the Minister of Education: What actions has the Government taken to champion a high-quality public education system that is available for all New Zealanders?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS (Minister of Education): Lots of good news. It's been a very busy year in education but to pick just a few of the highlights: we've taken action to rebuild classrooms and to fund more classrooms for growth reduce financial barriers to education in schooling and in tertiary education increase trades training have New Zealand history taught in our schools secure the future of vocational education chart a new course for early childhood education with a particular focus on quality and we will be putting more front-line support closer to schools to give every child the best chance to succeed.Jo Luxton: What action has the Government taken to support more teachers into classrooms?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: Again great news. After inheriting a 40 percent decline in the number of people who were training to be teachers this Government has invested $135 million into teacher supply initiatives and by the end of this year we'll see an additional 2000 more teachers in classrooms—that means more teachers to meet population growth. Teachers themselves of course are being supported in their profession with most teachers receiving an average pay rise of $12000.Jo Luxton: What action has the Government taken to reduce the cost of schooling for New Zealand families?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: This year alone the Government has reduced the cost to New Zealand families by funding the removal of NCEA exam fees for 168000 students; we've awarded almost 150000 students including former students with unpaid NCEA fees their credits and qualifications; and we're increasing funding for schools that don't ask parents for donations benefiting nearly half a million students and their families across the country.Jo Luxton: What action has the Government taken to upgrade classrooms and build more classrooms to meet population growth?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: This year the Government announced the largest ever increase in school property funding made by a New Zealand Government. To date we've begun the upgrade or new build of at least 1100 classrooms benefiting around 33000 students; we've released the first ever National Education Growth Plan to manage and plan for the growth of at least 100000 additional students by 2030; and we've announced the largest cash injection in 25 years into State schools' funding so that they can carry out their own upgrades using their existing local trades people.Jo Luxton: What action has the Government taken to champion trades training and vocational pathways?Hon CHRIS HIPKINS: So much good news. The Government has announced 4000 additional trades academy and gateway places from next year so that more young New Zealanders can take up trades from secondary school; we've given 345 students this year the very first Prime Minister's award for vocational education excellence; we've provided free training to 3900 apprentices in building and construction trades through Fees Free; and finally of course we're moving towards a much more sustainable and effective new system for vocational education up and down the country.