English-language support in schools reaches new high

Data from the Ministry of Education shows that 90,771 students across 1754 schools received funding for English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) support during terms 1 and 2 this year – the highest figure on record.

In 2016, the number stood at 37,640.

Indian students made up the largest group receiving ESOL support, accounting for about 20 per cent of the total at 18,741 individuals. They were followed by Filipino students, with 12,510 receiving support, and Chinese students, with 12,460.

Auckland schools accounted for the largest share of demand, with 55.9 per cent of all students receiving specialist English-language assistance enrolled in the region. Canterbury, including the Chatham Islands, and Wellington recorded the next-highest numbers.

ESOL funding is available to state and state integrated schools for students whose first language is neither English nor te reo Māori. The funding supports students at primary, intermediate and secondary levels.

Eligible students include migrants to New Zealand, former refugees and New Zealand-born students with at least one parent from a migrant or refugee background where a language other than English is usually spoken at home.

The number of students receiving ESOL support has continued to rise significantly since 2023.

School principals and specialist ESOL teachers believe sustained government funding, additional learning resources and greater investment in teacher professional development will be needed to meet increasing demand.

The Ministry of Education said ESOL funding is paid in addition to a school’s operations grant, with rates set at $780 per student each year for year 0-8 students and $1000 per student each year for year 9-13 students, excluding GST.

Andrea Williams, group general manager of National Services and Programmes at the Education Ministry, said that while the funding rate has not increased, this year’s Budget provides a further $10 million for ESOL in schools, bringing the annual budget to $73 million.

FULL STORY

Students receiving English-language support double in 10 years (By Duoya Lu/Radio New Zealand)