The union for early childhood and primary teachers, school support staff and learning support staff Te Riu Roa is calling for a $2.5 billion boost to learning support funding to properly help every child and student that needs it. 

The union says this amount over five years would transform early childhood education and schools so that they are fully inclusive.

The report released on Tuesday recommends additional money every year over five years, including doubling the number of early intervention teachers, education support workers, psychologists, special education advisors, occupational therapists and speech language therapists by 2029.

It also includes more teacher aides and learning support coordinators in schools.

The report says early intervention should be a priority and support should follow children seamlessly as they move to school.

The government has said learning support will be addressed in this year’s budget which is next month. Here’s a link to the full report:

Kia-mahi-kotahi_Working-together.pdf