Auckland community keeping schools afloat

Nation wide figures show that schools are relying more and more on parents and locally raised funds to operate. In 2003, 32% of schools' operational funds (excluding teacher's salaries) come from these sources comparing to 28.6% in 1999.  

It is even more critical in Auckland Central where almost half of all of the school's funding is being provided by parents and community grants. 

Figures from 2002 show 9.8 million dollars was raised by the community for 22 schools in the area. These funds came from donations and grants including 1.4 million dollars from parental contributions. 

How operational funds raised locally are spent is at the discretion of individual schools - giving them freedom to spend on what they need.  Currently, most of the money they receive from the Government comes with strict guidelines.

It is only natural that parents are willing to sell raffle tickets and run bake sales to get the teachers and equipment necessary to make their child's schooling the best they can.  After all, how can bureaucrats behind doors in Wellington know how education money should be spent at Ponsonby Primary or Freeman's Bay Schools? 

The Government says they have increased education funding since taking office.

This is true, but instead of going into public schools, it is going towards community education courses involving sing-a-longs.

Two things are clear - parents already pay enough money for uniforms, school trips and books.  It seems the only way they are able to have a direct say in how money is spent at the schools is to dig even deeper.   

Secondly, the Government is more committed to helping people learn to play twilight golf instead of pouring more money into helping primary schools.

Auckland city's population is rising. In 2024 it is estimated that over half a million people will live here.  This means more kids in schools, and for parents this means they will have to give even more money and time to our primary schools. 

After all the hard work the community and parents are putting in to raise extra funds, the Government should be giving them more say on how funding is spent at schools - it is after all taxpayers money. Parents and communities have a huge stake in education above and beyond the contributions made through the paying of taxes.   

Tao Hua Yuan (Peach blossom springs) 

Tao Hua Yuan can be found at the School of Architecture, Auckland University, 26 Symonds Street, Auckland. 'Peach blossom springs' is the theme of the exhibition designed by a group of young architecture students.  

The title comes from a famous Chinese classic story dating back to the Six Dynasties period (AD222 - AD589). A fisherman discovers a utopian society while exploring a spring lined with beautiful peach blossom trees. He finds a perfect farming community inhabited by people for whom history and time have come to a standstill.  

This is the second exhibition to be held under the cultural signals initiative. It was started by a group of Asian, and increasingly multi-cultural, architectural students who wanted to address issues concerning modern New Zealand architecture with its real, perceived, or proposed influences from different cultures.  

The students are focusing on the multi-cultural and globalisation phenomenon through interdisciplinary research and architectural design.  

The idea of this exhibition is to encourage the expression of one's ethnicity in architectural design - in this case, being Asian New Zealanders is bold and exciting. This year's exhibition theme is also very appropriate because Asians tend to refer to New Zealand as paradise. 

The ideas expressed in the exhibition seem to coincide with a growing confidence in our Asian communities to be more vocal. Too often the community is driven by the desire to defend negative publicity. This show is a unique and proactive move to assert one's identity.  

The fusion of various cultures will only be successful if we are courageous enough to adopt a standard of judgment and engage in robust debates. Cultural differences should not be used as an excuse to dismiss criticism, stifle debates, or to express patronizing compliments. Only through rigorous appraisal and inclusive attitudes can we embrace each other.  

When we reach Tao Far Yuan, we will discover that deep down our emotions are driven by similar instincts. We have a lot more in common if we can be balanced in our efforts to explore similarities well as differences.   

The race for Auckland City 

Only 24% eligible voters have posted their votes for the Auckland local body election so far.  Auckland's future deserves us to take the election seriously and cast our votes wisely. We need a council that is committed to lead progress and significantly enhance Auckland's infrastructure.  

The Mayor of Auckland City Council should have the political and managerial skills necessary to ensure that funding, planning and implementation for building Auckland's infrastructure can go ahead.  

Aucklanders want our city to become the leading city in the Asia Pacific region. It is a huge task to lead the council and the city.  Auckland has little time to lose and we cannot afford to slow momentum by having individuals learning on the job.

I am definitely going to bank my vote on getting Auckland moving.  Have your say, and post those ballot papers.