Special education waiting lists grow despite increased support

The number of children with disabilities waiting for support from the Education Ministry has increased, even though the ministry is helping more children than ever. The ministry worked with 36,476 children with special needs in the 12 months to the end of June, four percent or 1353 more than in the previous year. But at the same time the number of children on waiting lists grew by 107 to 4,237 and the average waiting time remained unchanged at 80 days. Wellington has the longest waiting times for help and the president of the Wellington Regional Primary Principals Association, Mike Farrelly, told our Education Correspondent, John Gerritsen, schools are having to pay for help for children from their own budgets.