Education Minister Erica Stanford is expected to make an announcement about school properties this morning, after the Government indicated last year it would consider a new entity to manage the country’s school portfolio.

The announcement is to take place in Auckland and will be livestreamed at the top of this story.

An inquiry, led by former Foreign Affairs Minister and National MP Murray McCully, included scathing criticism of the ministry’s handling of the $30 billion property portfolio and found its ability to deliver cost-effective and timely development was lacking.

Today’s announcement comes after consultation opened for the new sex education curriculum that Stanford hopes takes some heat away from the anxious schools.

Stanford told Newstalk ZB’s Mike Hosking this morning that schools that feel too uncomfortable to confront aggressive communities and the new curriculum will see the government undertake community consultation.

She said there would still be strong opinions, but hoped to shoulder the bulk of it.

“Direct that angst at me, do not direct it at your schools.

“I’d rather that I’d take the heat on that.”

It would be out for public consolation later this year.

“[The public opinion] is very split, which is why I am doing this, not asking schools to do it,

Stanford said the old curriculum was dated and required schools to get feedback every two years.

“We have to say to parents ‘This is exactly what’s been taught. If you want to have a conversation in advance… or if you want to pull them out and do it yourself, or if you would like the school to do it, that is your choice’.”

She disputed claims that puberty was not being taught until secondary school and said it is in the curriculum from year 5.

Stanford also said talk about consent would be taught much earlier under the new course but wouldn’t start immediately in terms of sex and relationships until later.

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