Concerns raised over child safety as Gloriavale school allowed to remain open
A decision to allow Gloriavale Christian School to stay open following an appeal to the High Court, sacrifices the safety and wellbeing of children, an advocate says.
Dennis Gates, a former lawyer who continues to push for the closure of the West Coast Community, is calling for the Children’s Commissioner Dr Claire Achmad to take a more active role to protect the children of Gloriavale.
The school won a last minute reprieve to stay open last week, despite the Ministry of Education declaring it not an “emotionally and physically safe” environment.
The ministry confirmed in December it was cancelling Gloriavale’s registration, as of January 23, following a string of failed audits and serious concerns.
However, an appeal by the school to the High Court has resulted in a decision not to close it pending the judicial review hearing.
Gates said the ministry was agreeing to the children continuing to be in an unsafe environment.
“Where is the logic in that?”
He said children were not represented in the review and Achmad needed to apply to be part of the proceedings.
“At the heart of this, is the welfare of the children.”
Achmad said she was aware of the judicial review and the decision to keep the school open and was keen to understand more about how oversight of the wellbeing and education of children at the school would occur.
“The safety and wellbeing of the children in the school must be prioritised.”
In August last year, Achmad called for the school’s urgent closure, saying she had zero confidence that students were safe.