Business decisions
Its kind of odd that this latest government decision to close the Te Hurihanga youth justice facility in Hamilton shines out to me as a prudent business decision and not a popular one at that, but I think its a good one and a necessary one.
Regardless of the protests of Mr Phil Goff (who no one really takes seriously anyways from what I have seen) and some others, its pointless to argue if the government understands that the purpose of the place was or the ideals behind the programme. Since its opening in 2007, 8 people have graduated (or completed the programme). Average out the cost estimated at $630,000 per person. Thats over $5,000,000 over 3 years for 8 people.
Even taking into account the other 10 people they were talking about currently going through the 'phases' of the programme, it still works out at over $100,000 per student.
If this was a PTE, or a Wananga or another tertiary education facility it would have its funding cut or dropped, especially with achievement rates like that. Now comparing apples with apples as one should, its not any of those and I do agree it has special character, to their credit, none of those successful students have re-offended. 8 of 23 original starters is 34.78%. Obviously some did not finish.
But as a manager and a business leader, I have to be asking myself this question. "Even with these 8 successes...what the hell have I been doing with all this tax payer cash? Where has it gone? What are my workers doing? Where has the audits and accountabilities been? Who is responsible?
I personally would like to know what the funds have been used on. $5,040,000 over 3 years is $1,680,000 a year. Some of this obviously came under the previous administration so I'm looking to ask some hard questions. Where were the checks and balances? Any QA processes?
I can see the social impact side of it. Don't get me wrong. But are the social benefits of such a large investment worth the output being shown? What other kid gets over 100,000 spent on them in a year without them having to pay a cent? Not even in the public schools. The kids/parents there have to spend thousands of dollars on books, uniforms, trips, sports, and then there are the 'donations' one has to pay.
I think this was a good idea to close it. My only be weary thing is that the replacement being more cost effective, is just as good if not better.
Regardless of the protests of Mr Phil Goff (who no one really takes seriously anyways from what I have seen) and some others, its pointless to argue if the government understands that the purpose of the place was or the ideals behind the programme. Since its opening in 2007, 8 people have graduated (or completed the programme). Average out the cost estimated at $630,000 per person. Thats over $5,000,000 over 3 years for 8 people.
Even taking into account the other 10 people they were talking about currently going through the 'phases' of the programme, it still works out at over $100,000 per student.
If this was a PTE, or a Wananga or another tertiary education facility it would have its funding cut or dropped, especially with achievement rates like that. Now comparing apples with apples as one should, its not any of those and I do agree it has special character, to their credit, none of those successful students have re-offended. 8 of 23 original starters is 34.78%. Obviously some did not finish.
But as a manager and a business leader, I have to be asking myself this question. "Even with these 8 successes...what the hell have I been doing with all this tax payer cash? Where has it gone? What are my workers doing? Where has the audits and accountabilities been? Who is responsible?
I personally would like to know what the funds have been used on. $5,040,000 over 3 years is $1,680,000 a year. Some of this obviously came under the previous administration so I'm looking to ask some hard questions. Where were the checks and balances? Any QA processes?
I can see the social impact side of it. Don't get me wrong. But are the social benefits of such a large investment worth the output being shown? What other kid gets over 100,000 spent on them in a year without them having to pay a cent? Not even in the public schools. The kids/parents there have to spend thousands of dollars on books, uniforms, trips, sports, and then there are the 'donations' one has to pay.
I think this was a good idea to close it. My only be weary thing is that the replacement being more cost effective, is just as good if not better.
posted by Wiremu Bayliss at
11:45 am
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