National pledges $160m for second languages in primary school
Mandarin, Te Reo and Signing would be among the "priority languages" in the initiative, announced by Bill English at the party's campaign launch.
Hot Topic
Hawke’s Bay
National set out plans for a $379 million education package at its campaign launch in West Auckland this afternoon.
The party is pledging a $160 million investment to give primary school students the chance to learn a second language.
Priority languages include Mandarin, French, Spanish, Japanese and Korean, along with Te Reo and New Zealand Sign Language.
No timetable was given for the policy.
Leader and Prime Minister Bill English says also he wants young people to have the next best opportunity be the next Mark Zuckerberg or Rod Drury, and will invest $48 million for digital learning opportunities for year 12 and 13 students.
Maths achievement is another area of focus, with the party pledging a $126 million investment to raise maths achievement for primary school students.
The three initiatives will cost $354 million over four years.
Additionally, the party pledged to update National Standards, in an initiative called National Standards Plus that will cost $25 million.
Mr English addressed a crowd of more than 2000 at the campaign launch this afternoon, emphasising the party's economic track record and efforts to eliminate child poverty. The National leader's address followed speeches from Education Minister Nikki Kaye and Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett.
"Hardworking New Zealanders are not an ATM for the Labour party," he said.
All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
Victoria Young
Sun, 27 Aug 2017
Sun, 27 Aug 2017
© All content copyright NBR. Do not reproduce in any form without permission, even if you have a paid subscription.
National pledges $160m for second languages in primary school
69637