Uniforms and stationery
Mr M J Edmonds made this Official Information request to Ministry of Education
Response to this request is long overdue. By law Ministry of Education should have responded by now (details and exceptions). The requester can complain to the Ombudsman.
From: Mr M J Edmonds
Dear Ministry of Education,
According to Circular 2013/06 it is reasonable to expect that students supply their own stationery. It also says that students cannot be required to purchase their own tablet computer.
It goes on to say that should a student choose to buy stationery or uniforms from the school, then the payment would be a payment for goods and would therefore be compulsory.
The cost of uniforms can easily exceed that of tablet computers, and the cost of stationery could easily reach a substantial percentage of that of a tablet computer.
Given the requirement of schools to provide a free education, can a school legally require the wearing of a uniform, or the provision of stationery, as a condition of providing an education?
Yours faithfully,
Mr M J Edmonds
From: Enquiries National
Hi
Please find attached the response to your query regarding uniforms and stationery.
Thanks
Enquiries National Team | Ministry of Education ^MC
45-47 Pipitea St, Wellington, New Zealand
Email [Ministry of Education request email]| http://www.minedu.govt.nz
Note that messages sent to several Ministry email addresses are responded to by this mailbox
-----Original Message-----
From: Mr M J Edmonds [mailto:[OIA #1700 email]]
Sent: Sunday, 18 May 2014 8:17 a.m.
To: Enquiries National
Subject: Official Information Act request - Uniforms and stationery
Dear Ministry of Education,
According to Circular 2013/06 it is reasonable to expect that students supply their own stationery. It also says that students cannot be required to purchase their own tablet computer.
It goes on to say that should a student choose to buy stationery or uniforms from the school, then the payment would be a payment for goods and would therefore be compulsory.
The cost of uniforms can easily exceed that of tablet computers, and the cost of stationery could easily reach a substantial percentage of that of a tablet computer.
Given the requirement of schools to provide a free education, can a school legally require the wearing of a uniform, or the provision of stationery, as a condition of providing an education?
Yours faithfully,
Mr M J Edmonds
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From: Mr M J Edmonds
Dear Enquiries National,
There is no mention of uniforms and stationery in this email.
Yours sincerely,
Mr M J Edmonds
From: Mr M J Edmonds
Dear Enquiries National,
On May 20 I asked for information regarding uniforms and stationery. All I got in return was a generic letter that did not address my question.
I have complained to the ombudsman, but just in case my response was not clear I am informing you that your answer was unsatisfactory.
In light of the hair length case there now may be further documents related to my question. Can you please supply without delay.
Yours sincerely,
Mr M J Edmonds
From: Mr M J Edmonds
Dear Ministry of Education,
This OIA request has not been satisfactorily answered despite further emails from me. You have now had more than ample time to respond.
A complaint has been laid with the Ombudsman's office.
Please reply with my requested information, or a refusal, or any other response allowed for by law.
Yours faithfully,
Mr M J Edmonds
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Mr M J Edmonds left an annotation ()
The ministry did not get this email. I have sent it via my personal email and have received a confirmation of receipt. Will post reply if I can.
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