Photo: Gerard O'BrienA $217 million increase in special needs education funding was the centrepiece of Jacinda Ardern’s first Labour Party conference speech as Prime Minister. Photo: Gerard O'Brien"If a child needs support and is not getting it, that's not fair and I'm not prepared to tolerate it.'' The scheme, which will cost $217 million over four years, was a ``game changer’’ for children and teachers, Ms Ardern said. The LSC’s were similar to the existing position of special education needs coordinators, but would work alongside current teachers – at the moment teachers had to take up the slack, Ms Ardern said. Ms Ardern thanked Labour staff and volunteers, and her caucus for their role in giving her ``the profound responsibility of leading our party.’’In her speech Ms Ardern continually referred to the thousands of letters sent to her in her first year in office, especially from children.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 04, 2018 00:52 UTC