New Zealand has a high rate of Teenage pregnancy. Each year nearly three in every hundred 15-19 year old women become mothers. There is little doubt that young parents who do not finish their formal education are prohibited from having the skills to support themselves and to get decent jobs. Their children are at risk of disadvantage as well. The new TPU
The first school for teenage parents was opened by Susan Barangawath in Porirua in 1994. Susan has been the pioneer and driving force for social change and policy for teen parent units in New Zealand. Over the next ten years more teen parent units were established in the country. There were serious inconsistencies in the way these were funded. In 2002 a National Incorporated society of Teen Parent Educators, ATPENZ, was established, to be the representative body for teen parent schools. Now there are new schools being formed throughout the country.
Until the beginning of 2003 there was no New Zealand statute to provide for a specialised educational provision for teenage mothers and free quality childcare for all of their children. In 2003 the Ministry recognised the need for special schools with childcare facilities attached, for teen parents to further their education. There is now policy and proper and equitable funding for teen parents schools.
At the beginning of 2006 these were 21 Teen Parent Units in New Zealand.
New Zealand has a high rate of Teenage pregnancy. Each year nearly three in every hundred 15-19 year old women become mothers. There is little doubt that young parents who do not finish their formal education are prohibited from having the skills to support themselves and to get decent jobs. Their children are at risk of disadvantage as well. The new TPU
The first school for teenage parents was opened by Susan Barangawath in Porirua in 1994. Susan has been the pioneer and driving force for social change and policy for teen parent units in New Zealand. Over the next ten years more teen parent units were established in the country. There were serious inconsistencies in the way these were funded. In 2002 a National Incorporated society of Teen Parent Educators, ATPENZ, was established, to be the representative body for teen parent schools. Now there are new schools being formed throughout the country.
Until the beginning of 2003 there was no New Zealand statute to provide for a specialised educational provision for teenage mothers and free quality childcare for all of their children. In 2003 the Ministry recognised the need for special schools with childcare facilities attached, for teen parents to further their education. There is now policy and proper and equitable funding for teen parents schools.
At the beginning of 2006 these were 21 Teen Parent Units in New Zealand.