The Otago-Southland Secondary Principals Association talked to Education Minister Anne Tolley at its Wanaka conference yesterday, keeping the discussion behind closed doors.
Association secretary Gordon Wilson asked the Otago Daily Times not to attend because the members felt media presence could prevent a free and frank discussion with the minister.
After the meeting, Mr Gordon said nothing controversial occurred.
Members had a "constructive" conversation with Mrs Tolley on a wide range of issues such as property, learning resources and behaviour and ministry programmes.
It was not limited to concerns the association raised with the minister last year about alternative education programmes, Mr Wilson said.
"We felt the minister has indicated she understands the stresses and strains secondary principals have in leading their schools."
Mrs Tolley said after the conference it had gone well.
"It was a good chance to meet principals and talk over issues."
In a draft version of her speech notes provided to the media, Mrs Tolley updated principals on a range of ministry initiatives, such as the Youth Guarantee Scheme, which has provided 2000 fee-free tertiary places to 16- and 17-year-olds around the country.
She referred to the New Zealand Virtual School at Catlins Area School as an example of partnerships between secondary and tertiary education providers. The school was providing options such as aviation, e-trades and horticulture, she said.
The principals were told up to 2500 Youth Guarantee places would be available next year and in following years. Eventually, Mrs Tolley would like to see all 16-and 17-year-olds in fee-free study programmes for worthwhile, nationally recognised qualifications.
The Ministry of Education had also begun a fundamental rethink of its approach to pupil behaviour and engagement and allocated $45 million to the ministry's Positive Behaviour for Learning Action Plan. This would result in 5000 teachers being trained in effective classroom management.
Taieri College, Mosgiel, was among the schools in the programme, she said.
A further initiative was an intensive service accrediting the most complex and challenging students, and she was working with the ministers of health, social development and justice on building strong interagency support systems for these children.
Mrs Tolley told the principals the Alternative Education programme would receive an additional $19.5 million in funding from next year.
