UPDATED 3.21PM: The Labour Party and the government are trading claims over a contract for an Auckland-based charter school.
Labour's education spokesperson Chris Hipkins said information obtained via Parliamentary questions indicates authorities failed to check whether the Villa Education Trust had enough room to house the 160 students it's being funded for.
The Trust is asking for $300,000 in additional funding, over its $1 million establishment payment, and has been using Ministry of Education buildings without paying rent.
However Education Minister Hekia Parata retorts that the Trust intends to grow its school roll to 240 students and an allowance had been made on its original contract to allow an extra establishment payment.
She also said the trust will pay rent back-dated to the beginning of the year once leasing agreements are finalised.
Charter schools have been widely criticised since their introduction in 2013. Northland charter school Te Kura Hourua ki Whangaruru has been faced with problems including management infighting, and serious health and safety issues such as bullying and drug use.
However others, like Vanguard Military School, were claimed as a success by ACT MP David Seymour.Â
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