Parents shocked by school hostel suspension as students forced to learn online

Students at a Manawatū secondary school where the boarding hostel's licence to operate has been suspended may have to sit their end-of-year exams elsewhere.

The students are likely to spend the next few weeks learning online after the suspension at Hato Pāora College, near Feilding, took effect at 5pm on Friday.

The Education Review Office (ERO), which is responsible for school hostels, said the decision was made because "it is contrary to the boarders' interests for the hostel to remain open".

Parents spoken to by RNZ said they had been given little information about the reasons behind the suspension, but communication from the school to families said it had four weeks to deal with the problems identified by the ERO.

Hato Pāora is a state-integrated Catholic Māori boys' school, with a roll of about 110 students.

Officials and school tight-lipped

The ERO said on Friday the decision to suspend the licence was "based on information obtained through carrying out ERO's statutory functions in relation to school hostels", including information obtained during an inspection last week.

RNZ asked further questions about the reasons behind the suspension and criticism from some parents of boys at the school about the haste of the suspension.

ERO director of regulation Ray McMillan said: "As this is an active regulatory matter, we're unable to provide further details about the individuals or evidence underpinning the decision.

"The Hato Pāora College Hostel Trust is aware of the areas identified by ERO and the conditions it must meet."

ERO remained in contact with the hostel trust, the Ministry of Education and NZQA to look at how to support students and minimise disruption, he said.

Staff at the school on Monday directed RNZ to the school board's chairperson for comment. They have been approached.

The communication to parents, sent on Sunday, said that following the sudden notice from ERO about the suspension there had been a "series of meetings and planning around operations to determine the next steps and support for our tauira [students] and whānau".

The school's trust board had four weeks to complete work it required. A project manager was in place, supported by an independent overseer appointed by the diocese.

"The trust board has already addressed some of the concerns that have been identified as requiring work."

The school said it was overwhelmed with support, and it was still in operation. For its junior programme staff were working over the weekend to prepare for learning on Monday and in the coming weeks.

Ministry of Education regional director of education Melanie Tait echoed ERO in saying officials were working with the school and NZQA to minimise disruption, particularly with exams approaching.

"Our priority is to make sure students can continue their learning and are supported during this period."

NZQA deputy chief executive for assessment Jann Marshall said exams would be offered at Hato Pāora, while alternative arrangements could be made for students to sit then elsewhere if required.

"The derived grade process is also available for eligible students to have their achievement recognised, where circumstances beyond their control mean they cannot attempt an exam, or their performance is significantly affected."

Sudden closure a shock for parents

Parents spoken to by RNZ have expressed concern about the disruption on their sons' education.

One mother, who had boys at the school, said she would now have to buy a laptop so they could do remote learning - a cost they had not planned for.

She had heard the school was open for boys living locally, while other boarders were trying to sort accommodation in the area nearby.

The mother said she had paid hostel fees for the year, but had not heard more about these, and she suddenly had to make a long journey to collect them from the school last week.

Overall, she was supportive of the school, but questioned if the consequences of the hostel licence suspension were thought through at this stage of the year.

"Like many parents I am extremely shocked by the sudden suspension of the hostel licence and the immediate requirement for all boys to return home," she said.

"What concerns me most is that parents and whānau do not appear to have been consulted or given any meaningful opportunity to prepare for such a significant disruption."

A limited statutory manager was also appointed to the Hato Pāora College board in June, and that manager took over board powers such as employment and curriculum management. The mother said parents understood work was under way to improve matters there, although it wasn't said what areas were of concern.

"I also find it heartbreaking that the school only recently celebrated the opening of its new boarding facilities in July, an investment intended to support future generations of Hato Pāora boys."

Another parent said the school had been in touch with families over the weekend to try to arrange alternative accommodation so boys could attend class - but these arrangements did not suit everyone.