A scheme which will see a group set up in Rotorua to address education issues has been announced by Education Minister Hekia Parata.
Ms Parata met Rotorua principals and staff at Mokoia Intermediate yesterday to announce the new initiative which will be unique to Rotorua.
The Rotorua Education Initiative willsee a group or "lead" appointed by local principals.
This group, which is expected to be set up in July, will then meet with schools and community groups to hear about issues affecting children's learning.
Ms Parata said the initiative was about listening to and serving the community rather than telling schools what to do.
"The programme will allow our communities to work with local schools and early childhood services to deal with the issues that affect their children's learning," Ms Parata said.
Rotorua MP Todd McClay said when problems arise the group could then look at the best way to deal with them rather than going through a long process with the Ministry of Education.
"Some of the responsibility of the Ministry of Education is being moved sideways," he said.
Solutions will be put before a government official and funding will be allocated on a case-by-case basis.
Mr McClay said the initiative came as a direct response to frustrated community members who wanted better ways to take action when they saw problems in Rotorua.
Mr McClay said, for example, community members might want to help local children who were missing out on early childhood education. He said a solution could be as simple as organising transport to pick up children and take them home from the centres.
Rotorua Lakes High School principal Bruce Walker said it sounded like a good initiative.
Invitations will now be sent to Rotorua principals to be part of the selection process for the lead group.
