If you've ever sat at a school meeting wondering how to best support a child with extra learning needs, you're not alone.

And you might've raised an eyebrow at this year’s Budget announcement.

The Government’s $646 million headline for learning support sounds like a win, but according to Professor Missy Morton, it’s more of a mixed bag.

Professor Morton, who specialises in Disability Studies and Inclusive Education at the University of Auckland’s Faculty of Arts and Education, says that while parts of the Budget are genuinely promising, others raise questions.

She welcomed the increased funding for the Ongoing Resourcing Scheme (ORS), which helps schools support children with high or very high needs.

Until now, ORS was capped.

Even children who met the criteria could miss out because the pot had run dry.

Morton says this left many schools—including those on the Hibiscus Coast—stretched and families struggling.

The Budget promises all verified students will now be funded, with around 1,700 more students expected to benefit.

She also sees the extension of early intervention services to the end of Year 1 as a positive move.

This means support like speech therapy and behavioural help won’t stop once a child leaves kindy.

That’s something many local teachers will quietly cheer.

But not all the news is good.

Morton notes that while the Budget talks about two million more teacher aide hours by 2028, that equates to fewer than one extra aide per school.

She also points out that some of the new funding may come from cuts elsewhere, such as removing specialist literacy teacher roles.

In her view, what’s good for learners who need extra support is good for all students.

A truly inclusive classroom, she says, benefits everyone.

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