Heather Roy

Wellington, May 14 NZPA - The Government will use recommendations made in a Law Commission report to modernise some of the laws regulating private schools, says Associate Education Minister Heather Roy.

Released last September, the report said while New Zealand's private school sector was strong, legislation governing them was outdated and often unclear, making it difficult for relevant agencies to deal with potential situations involving the safety and welfare of students.

Ms Roy said the commission's recommendations covered areas including updating registration criteria and introducing tougher sanctions on independent schools that breached the law, particularly where children's welfare was seriously at risk. The report also set out proposals that would clarify a range of other provisions in the 1989 Education Act.

Some recommendations would not be accepted, as they could lead to over-regulation or didn't address any problems, but the report was effective in identifying the issues, and "the Government's response will balance private and public interests while also respecting freedom of choice and parental autonomy", Ms Roy said.

There are 97 private schools in New Zealand -- about 4 percent of the total number of schools -- and about 31,000 students attend them.