Centre for teen parents opens

Te Tipu Whenua o Pa Harakeke, a teen parent unit and early childhood centre at Flaxmere College, officially opened yesterday. Photo / Duncan Brown

Teen parents will have state-of-the-art learning facilities and higher education opportunities thanks to a new centre at Flaxmere College.

Te Tipu Whenua o Pa Harakeke, a teen parent unit and early childhood centre, was officially opened by National MP Craig Foss in place of Education Minister Hekia Parata, yesterday.

A powhiri, haka and speeches were rolled out in the school hall before guests, including police and board members, were taken to the new block for a tour.

The community called for further education opportunities for young parents and Flaxmere College was happy to answer.

"We are very grateful it's been established, I think our beautiful youth deserve the very best; it's going to make a real difference in that young mothers and fathers can continue their education," Principal Louise Apatu said.

"When we are looking at the future of education, 21st century learning, you have to acknowledge there are many pathways to success."

The childhood centre will cater for babies right up to toddlers, with more than 20 teen parents able to attend at one time. Already there have been plenty of inquiries in advance of the facilities' start date at the beginning of term four.

"It will be an individualised learning plan, so we will be flexible as a college, some might be going for a day at EIT, they may be doing classes with the rest of the school."

Mr Foss said it was a "pleasure" to be involved with the opening.