Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the study support centre initiative?
It is a way in which the Government can financially support schools and community groups to establish study support centres, also known as homework centres, which will provide additional educational support to senior primary school students who are at-risk of underachievement.
What is a study support centre?
Study support centres will provide after-school educational support for students. They will do this by helping students develop study habits that will assist their learning and achievement. This could involve helping with homework, helping students to catch up work missed through illness, or helping them adjust if they have recently changed schools. Study support centres will provide students with additional learning resources.
What sort of resources will study support centres have?
The most important resource will be a registered teacher, but there may also be other supportive adults. All study support centres will have access to computers, the internet and other suitable resource material such as reference books.
Who can set up a study support centre?
Schools or community groups with an interest in assisting students from disadvantaged areas to achieve their potential. Preference will be given to joint applications from community groups and schools, or to groups of schools that work co-operatively to meet community needs. Schools that apply need to be those that teach senior primary school students (this means year 5 to 8 students). They will also need to be decile 1, 2 or 3 schools, and have a roll size over 100 students.
Does this mean that small schools cannot get financial support for study support centres?
No, provided the small school makes a joint application with another school, or schools, its application will be considered.
What about isolated and rural schools?
The Ministry will work with interested groups of schools to investigate how ICT technology can be used to provide study support centres to students in isolated areas.
How does a school or community group go about setting up a study support centre?
To be eligible for Government funding assistance, the school or community group must apply to the Ministry of Education using the application form available for download from this web page. Your application needs to explain how the study support centre's programme will operate to meet the needs of students at-risk of underachievement. This includes hours of opening (which must be regular and for a minimum of six hours a week), supervision arrangements, and an assurance that the study support centre will meet minimum requirements. Further information is available from the local offices of the Ministry.
Why does a community group or non-school provider need incorporated society status?
If the funding under this initiative is not going to a school, then the Ministry of Education is required to recognise the body/provider being funded under Section 321 of the Education Act. This means that body corporate status is required before approval to fund a study support centre can be given.
What are the minimum requirements for funding?
The minimum requirements are: a supervisor who is a registered teacher; suitable facilities for students to study which are comfortable and welcoming; adequate computers and internet access; suitable learning resources; and food and drink that students of this age normally need to provide an energy boost after school. Schools establishing study support centres need to show they could cater for at least 10% of their senior primary aged students.
How much money will a study support centre get?
This depends on the nature of the application. Applications need to be reasonable, but study support centres that operate for longer hours or for larger numbers of students can expect more financial assistance than other applicants. The Government expects to provide assistance to over 150 study support centres throughout the country. The decision on the level of funding provided will be made by the local Ministry of Education office.
What can the money be spent on?
The Government's contribution can only be spent on running costs such as staffing or day-to-day expenditure. It can' be spent on capital items, e.g. buildings or computers.
Why can't study support centre funding be spent on buildings?
The Government wants this funding to be spent in ways that help students learn. Most areas have spare buildings somewhere in the community, or in schools themselves, that can be used. Study support centre funding could be used to rent a building, if this was necessary.
Do students have to spend their whole time studying?
No. The aim of this initiative is to foster study skills and habits, however, study support centres will be encouraged to assist students to access other activities that broaden their horizons and increase their potential.
Why can't secondary schools get the benefit of study support centre assistance?
Secondary schools will indirectly benefit from study support centres. The purpose of the initiative is to help students establish good patterns of learning at a young age. Good learning habits, if established early in life, will carry over into secondary school. Study support centres are about establishing sound foundations.