CPAG believes in the right of every child to free, high quality public education.
Poverty and other factors such as cultural, social and resource issues, limit educational achievement. Therefore, the provision of adequate and appropriate education is a vital condition for reducing disparities between citizens. Policies that address the issues affecting educational achievement are needed to enable children from low-income families to attain their full potential in New Zealand.
CPAG carries out research and offers policy recommendations in areas of concern noted by educators. Some current issues include food insecurity, factors affecting attendance, assessment costs and the underfunding of schools serving low decile communities.
The first five years are so important. ECE has to be good quality. It is encouraging that Working for Families provides more in free, community-based ECE.
Exam fees for NCEA courses pose a significant barrier to achievement among students from low income families who often are simply unable to afford to pay them. Kay Hawk and David Hawk exposed this in CPAG's The Irony of the NCEA - government have since cut fees dramatically. CPAG believes that any fees at all cost far more to poor students in lost opportunity and talent, as well as more to administer, than they are worth to government departments.