Latest news with #EquityIndex
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Duffy Books In Homes Celebrates 15 Million Books Delivered
Press Release – Duffy Books in Homes Duffy Books in Homes (DBIH) has reached a significant milestone, with 15 million books delivered into the hands of Kiwi kids since its founding in 1994. Each year, nearly 100,000 'Duffy Kids' across the country receive six brand-new books to own and cherish, thanks to the ongoing support of more than 200 funding partners, donors, and supporters. Founded by author , the programme aims to break the cycle of 'booklessness' and promote literacy by fostering a love of reading from an early age. 'This was what I dreamt of more than 30 years ago when I founded Duffy Books in Homes,' said Duff. 'It has been a privilege to see how DBIH has helped promote literacy, instil a love of books, and give children a real sense of ownership over their learning. We couldn't have done this without our amazing team, in-school coordinators, role models, and especially our funding partners and supporters. A huge thank you to all who have been involved over the last 30 years.' The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study, highlights this significance with the study, which tracked over 6,000 children, finding that homes filled with books has a positive impact on how often children read and how much they enjoyed it. Literacy rates can be a strong predictor of the economic and career prospects of young people when leaving school. Regardless of what job or career children aspire to do, they need to be literate. DBIH General Manager, Linda Vagana says that ' We're proud that our programme has been able to deliver 15 million books to kids (and counting). Recent research suggests that children who love reading often develop stronger comprehension and writing skills, greater general knowledge, and positive attitudes toward learning. These foundational skills and attitudes are essential for lifelong learning and personal growth.' The recent transition from the decile system to the Equity Index (EQI), has made 160 more schools eligible to join our programme – which is a lot of children without access to books. Our supporters help us deliver brand new books into nearly 100,000 Kiwi kids hands through their school. Books which they themselves choose and are theirs to keep for life. Ms Vagana adds, ' The support the programme has received in the past 31 years, means that hundreds of thousands of Kiwi children have been able to increase their literacy which has had a positive outcome on their lives. These children have become adults who inspire a love of reading and can continue this positive cycle for generations to come. Our mission remains focused on inspiring and empowering a nation of successful tamariki through a love of reading and book ownership. With rising costs and increasing demand, we're calling on new funding partners and donors to come on board. Now, more than ever, their support is crucial to keeping the programme thriving.' Prospective partners and supporters are encouraged to visit to learn how they can support the DBIH mission. About Duffy Books in Homes Duffy Books in Homes is a not-for-profit organisation working with over 550 schools and more than 260 early childhood centres around Aotearoa New Zealand. The organisation was created in 1994 and aims to inspire a love of books in children, so they become adults who inspire a love of reading. They do this through their literacy programme where schools in priority communities are given the option to become a 'Duffy school'. Students at Duffy schools receive 6 books per year to take home and own. Duffy Books in Homes has a small team in Auckland, with over 200 funding partners and supporters across New Zealand. The programme has been so successful, it has inspired offshoot programmes in Australia and the USA.
Scoop
3 days ago
- General
- Scoop
Duffy Books In Homes Celebrates 15 Million Books Delivered
Duffy Books in Homes (DBIH) has reached a significant milestone, with 15 million books delivered into the hands of Kiwi kids since its founding in 1994. Each year, nearly 100,000 'Duffy Kids' across the country receive six brand-new books to own and cherish, thanks to the ongoing support of more than 200 funding partners, donors, and supporters. Founded by author Alan Duff, the programme aims to break the cycle of 'booklessness' and promote literacy by fostering a love of reading from an early age. 'This was what I dreamt of more than 30 years ago when I founded Duffy Books in Homes,' said Duff. 'It has been a privilege to see how DBIH has helped promote literacy, instil a love of books, and give children a real sense of ownership over their learning. We couldn't have done this without our amazing team, in-school coordinators, role models, and especially our funding partners and supporters. A huge thank you to all who have been involved over the last 30 years.' The Growing Up in New Zealand (GUiNZ) study, highlights this significance with the study, which tracked over 6,000 children, finding that homes filled with books has a positive impact on how often children read and how much they enjoyed it. Literacy rates can be a strong predictor of the economic and career prospects of young people when leaving school. Regardless of what job or career children aspire to do, they need to be literate. Advertisement - scroll to continue reading DBIH General Manager, Linda Vagana says that ' We're proud that our programme has been able to deliver 15 million books to kids (and counting). Recent research suggests that children who love reading often develop stronger comprehension and writing skills, greater general knowledge, and positive attitudes toward learning. These foundational skills and attitudes are essential for lifelong learning and personal growth.' The recent transition from the decile system to the Equity Index (EQI), has made 160 more schools eligible to join our programme – which is a lot of children without access to books. Our supporters help us deliver brand new books into nearly 100,000 Kiwi kids hands through their school. Books which they themselves choose and are theirs to keep for life. Ms Vagana adds, ' The support the programme has received in the past 31 years, means that hundreds of thousands of Kiwi children have been able to increase their literacy which has had a positive outcome on their lives. These children have become adults who inspire a love of reading and can continue this positive cycle for generations to come. Our mission remains focused on inspiring and empowering a nation of successful tamariki through a love of reading and book ownership. With rising costs and increasing demand, we're calling on new funding partners and donors to come on board. Now, more than ever, their support is crucial to keeping the programme thriving.' Prospective partners and supporters are encouraged to visit to learn how they can support the DBIH mission. About Duffy Books in Homes Duffy Books in Homes is a not-for-profit organisation working with over 550 schools and more than 260 early childhood centres around Aotearoa New Zealand. The organisation was created in 1994 and aims to inspire a love of books in children, so they become adults who inspire a love of reading. They do this through their literacy programme where schools in priority communities are given the option to become a 'Duffy school'. Students at Duffy schools receive 6 books per year to take home and own. Duffy Books in Homes has a small team in Auckland, with over 200 funding partners and supporters across New Zealand. The programme has been so successful, it has inspired offshoot programmes in Australia and the USA.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Getting Kids Back In School
Press Release – New Zealand Government Frontline attendance services will be more accountable, better at effectively managing cases, and data driven in their responses. To achieve this, they will soon have access to a new case management system and better data monitoring and their … Associate Minister of Education Frontline attendance services will receive a significant funding boost so they can support more schools and reach double the students, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. Budget 2025 includes a $140 million package to improve attendance over the next four years. This includes around $123 million for the delivery of a new attendance service and almost $17 million to support and strengthen frontline attendance services. 'Frontline attendance services will be more accountable, better at effectively managing cases, and data driven in their responses. To achieve this, they will soon have access to a new case management system and better data monitoring, and their contracts will be more closely monitored,' Mr Seymour says. 'In 2024 the Education Review Office (ERO) completed a report into attendance services which found that the system designed to get students back in school was ineffective and required substantial reform. For example, the current system fails to consistently improve student attendance because funding varies between providers. Many services are under resourced and cannot meet demand. The 2024 ERO report made four recommendations for a successful new attendance service: Having effective targeted supports in place to address chronic absence Increasing the focus on retaining students on their return Putting in place an efficient and effective model Strengthening how we prevent students becoming chronically absent. 'The new attendance services model addresses the first three recommendations. The wider attendance action plan, which includes the requirement for schools to have their own attendance management plan, aligned with the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) in place by Term 1 of 2026, will address all four,' Mr Seymour says. 'Service providers will work with families, local communities and social agencies to deliver comprehensive services. The level of service provided will depend on the need. It will range from advice and support to schools, to intensive case management of students. 'Schools with the highest numbers of chronically absent students will be able to apply for funding for an in-school service. The schools in this bracket tend to be ones in higher Equity Index (EQI) groups, facing the most socio-economic barriers.' Transitioning to the new Attendance Service will begin at the end of this year and the new services will become fully operational from early 2026. The Ministry of Education will work with providers to ensure the transition is smooth, and that students continue to receive the services they need during this period. 'Attending school is the first step towards achieving positive educational outcomes. Positive educational outcomes lead to better health, higher incomes, better job stability and greater participation within communities. These are opportunities that every student deserves,' Mr Seymour says.
Otago Daily Times
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Govt announces $140m to tackle truancy
Associate Education Minister David Seymour. Photo: RNZ The government is allocating $140 million to tackle truancy with a new school attendance service. The funding boost is aimed at supporting more schools and reaching double the number of students over the next four years, according to Associate Education Minister David Seymour. He says the funds from this year's Budget included about $123 million for the delivery of a new attendance service and almost $17 million to support and strengthen front-line attendance services. "Front-line attendance services will be more accountable, better at effectively managing cases, and data driven in their responses. To achieve this, they will soon have access to a new case management system and better data monitoring, and their contracts will be more closely monitored," Seymour said. He said the new attendance service would address chronic absence and focus on keeping students in school when they return. "Service providers will work with families, local communities and social agencies to deliver comprehensive services. The level of service provided will depend on the need. It will range from advice and support to schools, to intensive case management of students. "Schools with the highest numbers of chronically absent students will be able to apply for funding for an in-school service. The schools in this bracket tend to be ones in higher Equity Index (ELI) groups, facing the most socio-economic barriers," Seymour said. Transitioning to the new attendance service would start at the end of the year and be fully in place from early 2026, he said.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Getting Kids Back In School
Associate Minister of Education Frontline attendance services will receive a significant funding boost so they can support more schools and reach double the students, Associate Education Minister David Seymour says. Budget 2025 includes a $140 million package to improve attendance over the next four years. This includes around $123 million for the delivery of a new attendance service and almost $17 million to support and strengthen frontline attendance services. 'Frontline attendance services will be more accountable, better at effectively managing cases, and data driven in their responses. To achieve this, they will soon have access to a new case management system and better data monitoring, and their contracts will be more closely monitored,' Mr Seymour says. 'In 2024 the Education Review Office (ERO) completed a report into attendance services which found that the system designed to get students back in school was ineffective and required substantial reform. For example, the current system fails to consistently improve student attendance because funding varies between providers. Many services are under resourced and cannot meet demand. The 2024 ERO report made four recommendations for a successful new attendance service: Having effective targeted supports in place to address chronic absence Increasing the focus on retaining students on their return Putting in place an efficient and effective model Strengthening how we prevent students becoming chronically absent. 'The new attendance services model addresses the first three recommendations. The wider attendance action plan, which includes the requirement for schools to have their own attendance management plan, aligned with the Stepped Attendance Response (STAR) in place by Term 1 of 2026, will address all four,' Mr Seymour says. 'Service providers will work with families, local communities and social agencies to deliver comprehensive services. The level of service provided will depend on the need. It will range from advice and support to schools, to intensive case management of students. 'Schools with the highest numbers of chronically absent students will be able to apply for funding for an in-school service. The schools in this bracket tend to be ones in higher Equity Index (EQI) groups, facing the most socio-economic barriers.' Transitioning to the new Attendance Service will begin at the end of this year and the new services will become fully operational from early 2026. The Ministry of Education will work with providers to ensure the transition is smooth, and that students continue to receive the services they need during this period. 'Attending school is the first step towards achieving positive educational outcomes. Positive educational outcomes lead to better health, higher incomes, better job stability and greater participation within communities. These are opportunities that every student deserves,' Mr Seymour says.
