Education
Seclusion rooms a symptom of under-funding, advocates say
Advocates for children with disabilities say seclusion rooms are a symptom of under-funding of the special education system.
Chief Ombudsman: 'We won't let this gather dust'
Chief Ombudsman Judge Boshier has initiated an investigation into the use of seclusion rooms in schools. He says his office will act swiftly, and won't let it 'gather dust'. Video, Audio
Complaints made about seclusion room at a second school
Parents of an autistic boy locked in a seclusion room at Ruru Specialist School in Invercargill are still waiting on a police investigation report into the school. Hekia Parata wouldn't comment. Audio
Illegal suspensions and expulsions from schools
Some schools are increasingly using illegal methods to exclude or suspend students they find troublesome. Audio
Lucinda the Cactus Girl
Cacti usually are usually a bit spikey, and probably not the best bed-fellows on stage, but they represent more than just plants in a dark, whimsical show opening at the Basement tomorrow. Director… Audio
Schools covertly suspending too many students: report
A new report finds that illegal suspensions, where students are covertly encouraged to withdraw from school, are growing in number, casting doubt on Education Ministry statistics. Kathryn Ryan speaks… Audio
Secondary Principals Association disputes number of suspensions
Patrick Walsh from the Secondary Principals Association disputes reports that schools are increasingly using illegal methods to expel students, saying such cases are very rare. Audio
Illegal school supensions on the rise
A new Youth Law report calls for closer monitoring of schools as it finds a surge in the number of illegal suspensions and expulsions of school students. Numbers it deals with have tripled in the past… Audio
Maori education progress too slow
A new report on Maori education is critical of the government's slow progress in improving results for Maori students. Audio
Illegal school suspensions on the rise - report
Some schools are increasingly using illegal methods to exclude or suspend students they find troublesome, a new report has found.
Waikato schools to get $17m makeover
Two Waikato high schools are to be redeveloped at a cost of about $17 million, the government has announced.
The food scene in Auckland provides a taste of inequality
Associate Professor Damon Salesa talks with Professor Lisa Marriott, Dame Diane Robertson, Lisa King and Dr Teuila Percival about why the diet of Aucklanders depends on where they live. Audio
Researchers urge rethink over anti-obesity efforts
Initiatives to combat obesity could inadvertently be causing more harm to those who they're trying to help, researchers say. Audio
The obesity fight
Initiatives to target obesity are not working because we are fat shaming people and not addressing the causes. Two social science researchers at Auckland university, Dr Darren Powell and George… Audio
Secular education case heads to Human Rights Tribunal
A group has taken a case against religious education in state schools to the Human Rights Review Tribunal.
Ministry looking into another seclusion room - Commissioner
The Disability Rights Commissioner is pleased the Ombudsman will investigate the use of seclusion rooms in schools, following a case in Wellington.
Cuts would be 'threat' to small secondary schools
The Post Primary Teachers Association is worried small secondary schools will have their funding cut as part of a government review of school funding.
School that shut away kids used 'outmoded' practices - report
A Wellington school used a special room dozens of times to confine children, but did not record every use of the room, according to a report released today. Video
Parents respond to Miramar school's response on seclusion
Ngaire and Jeremy Mansfield's six-year-old autistic son was one of the children who was locked in Miramar Central School's seclusion room. They respond to the board's comments. Video, Audio
"We mucked up": Miramar Central School representative
A report into Miramar Central School's seclusion room has been made public. The school's representative Pete McFarlane breaks down while talking to Checkpoint about the use of the room. Video, Audio
