The Broader Professional Context

According to the OECD's Trends Shaping Education (2016) Household poverty and debt have a large impact on families. Children living in low-income households perform more poorly in school on average due to a lack of resources including books, access to computers and sometimes even proper meals. This is no secret. And I don't know that it is the most relevant trend to my practice but I know it's one of the top three. 

This particular trend captivated my attention because it is one that impacts on my students every day. After ten years of teaching in decile 1 and 2 schools I have seen many children come to school without having had breakfast and without lunch in their bag, occasionally they arrive in their socks. The school I currently teach in is situated in one of those most 'deprived' suburbs of Christchurch. I remember after returning from school camp asking my students what they enjoyed most. One boy said he loved camp because he had a mattress, at home he slept on wire base. I well aware that this is sometimes/often the case in high decile schools also. I have seen how poverty affects kids, how it sidelines them. 

The Government have recently announced the Budget. They have increased the Family Tax Credit and and Accomodation Supplements. I don't think it's enough and I don't think it's the answer but it's some kind of a start. Charities and businesses are also onboard. We rely heavily on outside agencies for support. 

I think this trend has influenced the education system because we have a duty of care to our students. Also we recognise that trying to teach cold, hungry, tired kids is hopeless. According to Education Counts, poverty increases the likelihood of poor nutrition and other health problems, housing transience, unstable parent and caregiver relationships, negative peer group influences and other factors known to impact on educational achievement. Education Counts go on to say that poverty during the early years of childhood can be particularly detrimental, with negative educational effects persisting at least into the middle years of schooling, even when family incomes improve. 

Right or wrong it falls to us to provide our students with food and clothing. We have had the debate "if we do this, breakfast club, free shoes etc, it takes the onus off the parents and caregivers" and I think there is an element of truth to this. We probably do have a handful of parents and caregivers who have simply given up trying because they know we will provide for their children. But I do not believe that this is the case for most families. Although one could are argue these are simply 'bandaids'  rather than cures.

Schools are also modifying their curriculum in an attempt to break the cycle. Apps like Banqer aim to provide a hands on environment for kids to get curious, creative, and ultimately, confident with money. We use it in our classroom to teach students about money. Students have the opportunity to earn an income, spend, save and invest. It's all fictional of course but it has been amazing to see students having meaningful conversations with their parents and caregivers about money. 

I think poverty will always remain a trend in education. However with the ever increasing media coverage and awareness, changes in curriculum and in Government policy (or Government) I hope that we will eventually see it become less so.








Banqer Weaves itself into the Fabric of Life. Retrieved from https://www.banqer.co/

OECD. (2016) Trends Shaping Education 2016, OECD Publishing, Paris. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/trends_edu-2016-en

2015 Education and Child Poverty. Retrieved from http://childpoverty.co.nz/flow-infographics/education-and-child-poverty-2016

2017 Education Counts. Retrieved from http://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/statistics/indicators/definition/family-and-community-engagement/3981