A Dunedin principal has penned an open letter to several government departments, warning her at-risk students face a future of crime if nothing is done to help them.
Dunedin North Intermediate principal Heidi Hayward. Photo: Supplied
In a open letter to the Ministers of Education, Social Development and Social Housing, principal Heidi Hayward described the situation of some children at her school as "truly heartbreaking".
Ms Hayward says she wrote the letter because the children had "no voice" and were "relying upon us to do the right thing".
She described children living in "dangerous and dysfunctional homes" and faced a future of crime and an almost inevitable prison sentence.
Ms Hayward is principal of Dunedin North Intermediate, a decile 7 school, in which many of the children flourished and face life with confidence and strong family support.
However, the most at-risk students at the school were increasingly vulnerable. She said it was not about her school, but a national problem.
She had tried to get more support through "the right channels" and behind closed doors.
She wrote the open letter because, "I want to be on the record as having warned you".
The ministry's new at-risk funding formula identified the school had 49 "at-risk" children.
A child was classed as "at-risk" if their parents were on benefits for much of their lives.
Principal's message for government: 'Help the kids'
Forty-nine children made up a fifth of the school.
"We've been funded a grand total of $4549.33 to support these 49 families."
"This allows us $92.84 per student, or one day per annum of teacher aide time."
It would make no difference, she said. The school spent more than that amount already.
Children living in homes where there was abuse and drug use needed more, she said.
Hayward had worked in education for 18 years and felt "nothing changes".
She said when she could not educate the children, she could at least give them some stability. She felt more that she could no longer provide that.
Education Minister Hekia Parata said in a statement said next year $12.3 million would be spent specifically targeting students most at risk of under-achievement.
Government funding means each at-risk child at her school would get $92.84 in funding, principal Heidi Hayward says. Photo: 123RF
Social Development Minister Anne Tolley said she had asked Child Youth and Family to look into it immediately.
"We know things need to change, which is why I'm leading an overhaul of the care and protection system following an independent review," she said.
The new Ministry for Vulnerable Children, starting next year, would work with families earlier to prevent children from needing to go into care, she said.
If they needed to leave their families, they needed to be placed in a safe, stable home as soon as possible, Ms Tolley said.