11 Aug 2020

Reality biting for school budgets as international students drop

From Nine To Noon, 9:05 am on 11 August 2020

As the Covid uncertainty stretches on, schools budgets are being rejigged and tough decisions made due to the loss of income from international students.

Overseas students are worth $750 million a year for New Zealand schools, $5 billion when tertiary education is included.

The Auckland Secondary Schools' Principals' Association President Steve Hargreaves, who is also the principal of Auckland's Macleans College, says repercussions extend beyond this year's losses and next year's enrolments.

Nelson College Headmaster Richard Dykes is hoping the Education Minister will cut schools some slack.

Young students wear face masks in the arrivals hall at Hong Kong's international airport on January 22, 2020.

Photo: Anthony Wallace / AFP