An Auckland boy with Down syndrome spent over a year sitting in his father’s work van instead of going to school.
Makelani Siale was on a waitlist for 18 months to get into a specialist school for children with high needs.
The 14-year-old’s family had chosen not to enrol him in a mainstream high school, after he had previously been bullied by other students.
Makelani’s siblings would come home complaining: “I don’t like him coming to school, the other kids make fun of him."
Instead, their brother spent his days watching dad mow lawns and tend gardens, while his stepmother worked full-time in an office.
“He’s sitting in his dad's van all day, every day because we have no other alternative,” said Makelani’s stepmother Ronda Lough.
It’s estimated by NZEI Te Riu Roa that hundreds of young people are waiting for a place in a specialist education, but say the true national number is unknown given records are only kept at a regional level.
There are 27 specialist schools spanning from Whangārei to Invercargill, catering for close to 4500 high needs students from aged from five to 21.
Sommerville Specialist School is the country’s largest with a role of 390.
Principal Belinda Johnston told 1News she currently has almost 70 families waiting for a spot.
“I’m appalled that we’ve got students on a waiting list for an appropriate education.
“It’s every single child’s right and every term that those children stay at home is a term they’ll never get back for their education.”
Some mainstream schools offer spare classrooms to specialist schools in an attempt to ease the pressure.
Johnston relied on “satellite classrooms” as places to educate roughly half of her pupils.
Satellites are found at 183 schools across the country and are made possible when principals from both schools and the Ministry agree on a proposal.
Earlier this year, Johnston was offered two rooms at a local school and although she said it would be at no extra cost to the ministry, her request was denied.
“I’ve got around 20 families that I could have in those classes today,” said Johnston.
In a statement Ministry of Education Deputy Secretary Geoff Short said: “When Sommerfield sought to open two satellite classes the Ministry was reviewing how specialist schooling was being provided across the area, including where specialist classes are located. At that time, the focus was on where specialist places were most needed and how changes in one place might affect the wider system. We’re continuing discussions with Sommerfield about their request and next steps.”
'A passion project' – Minister
While there hasn’t been a specialist school opened in more than 50 years Education Minister Erica Stanford had promised two new schools will be opened in 2027 and 2028.
“This is a passion project of mine. I want to make sure that every single year we are pumping more money into special education.”
In last year's Budget, $746 million was set aside for learning support initiatives for high needs students.
By 2030, officials expect to have added “over two million additional teacher aide hours per year and more than 1600 full-time equivalent teaching and support roles”.
”We've come a long way but we've still got quite a way to go. Our staff are working really, really hard to ensure that children and parents have access to the kinds of learning environments that will suit those children best,” said Short.
Makelani was given a reprieve after 1News approached the Ministry about his situation.
It took just days for the student to be given a place at Sommerville, in a satellite class at Howick College, bringing an end to his family’s heartbreak.
“He finally feels understood, supported and included. In such a short time in a classroom it has lifted his confidence and so much joy every day. For our family the relief has been enormous.”
“He is finally in an environment where he can grow and start his journey of becoming independent," Lough said.
– by Mason Herbert
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