38903 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister of Education

38903 (2024). Dr Lawrence Xu-Nan to the Minister of Education: How, if at all, does the Ministry of Education and/or the Education Review Office ensure the wellbeing of students in Private Schools?

Hon Erica Stanford: The Education Review Office (ERO) reviews private schools and reports it findings to the Ministry of Education (the Ministry) on whether a school meets the criteria for registration as a private school. One criterion is that the school is a physically and emotionally safe place for children. The school management complete a Self-Audit Checklist and Assurance Statement, where they attest that they have taken all reasonable steps to meet their legal requirements related to all areas of the school and in particular health, safety and wellbeing of children. ERO verifies this through gathering information and evidence onsite. ERO reports to the Ministry when a school is not meeting areas of requirement and publishes a report.