A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing: The Bulk Funding Debate

Abstract

This article examines the bulk funding debate and concludes, first, that it is the injection of extra money, rather than the mechanism of bulk funding itself, which has allowed some schools to enhance their offerings. Secondly, it argues that in having taken on the responsibilities of governorship (including becoming employers of their children’s teachers), parents have been diverted from the more important role of engagement with their children’s learning, in partnership with teachers. An historical overview of the vigorous debate over bulk funding is also provided, from its inception with Tomorrow’s Schools up until the present, in view of its promised demise under current government policy. The article also presents a case study of a series of events at Colenso High School, Napier, where teachers, with support from the community, caused the Board of Trustees to reverse their decision to opt into bulk funding (the Fully Funded Option).