Anne Tolley

Wellington, July 21 NZPA - The Government is set to announce the next step in its plans to enter into public-private partnerships (PPPs) in the running of certain aspects of schools.

Education Minister Anne Tolley announced late last year that the Government was investigating such partnerships for the building and maintenance of some new school properties.

"We would only accept PPPs for school property if they free up schools to focus more on teaching and learning, and deliver better value for taxpayers," she said.

Under a partnership, the operation of the school would still be in the hands of its board. The private sector would only be responsible for the care of the school property: design, construction and maintenance, while the land would still be owned by the government, Mrs Tolley said.

Mrs Tolley and Finance Minister Bill English are expected to announce today what the next step will be in advancing the initiative.