Seven Upper Clutha schools and early learning centres (ELCs) have received a boost thanks to a Covid-19 fund aimed at supporting learners affected by lockdowns.

More than 2,000 learning institutions around the country have been given funding to help children and young people affected by the Covid-19 lockdowns, education minister Chris Hipkins said.

Upper Clutha recipients included: 

• Mount Aspiring College School ($4,526)
• Hawea Flat School School ($6,466)
• Holy Family School School ($6,151) 
• Wanaka PreSchool Early Childhood Centre ($5,244) 
• Montessori Children's House ($9,800) 
• Little Wonders Oanaka ($10,000) 
• Aspiring Beginnings Early Learning Centre ($4,250)

This comes from a total of more than $30M allocated between August and December 2020, which comes from the Urgent Response Fund.

“The feedback I’ve received has been incredibly positive. Schools, kura and early learning services have seen improvements in the wellbeing and re-engagement in learning for the ākonga supported by the fund,” Chris said.

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“Many have used the funding for additional teacher and teacher aide time to provide mentoring, academic catch-up and for engaging with whānau.”

The Urgent Response Fund is available for four categories of need: attendance; wellbeing to support attendance; cultural wellbeing to support attendance; and re-engagement in learning.

Regional groups of leaders, working with the director of education, identified priority needs in each region and decided how the local allocation of the fund would be distributed to make a difference for children and young people.

Support can be provided for individuals, groups of young people, a whole school or service, or a cluster of services working together.

It is a one-year fund until June 2021.

PHOTO: Wanaka App