PAC shows Govt out of step with parents

The new parents' lobby group, Parents Against Closures, shows just how far the Government and teacher unions are out of step with parents, says National's Education spokesman, Bill English.

PAC has been set up to pressure the Government into widening its five-year moratorium on school closures to include those already set to close.

Mr English says PAC is the first serious parents' lobby group to start up since Tomorrow's Schools 15 years ago.

"PAC represents parents who believe in parental choice and local control over school closures.

"The Government's arrogance towards parents and good schools has made parents realise they need their own voice. It has shown parents that neither the Education Minister, Trevor Mallard, nor the unions will protect their interests. Mr English says he fully supports PAC.

"Under Labour, far too many issues are decided in Beehive meetings between Labour, the unions and bureaucrats.

"Only an out of touch Education Minister, like Mr Mallard, would try to over-ride parents' interests and choices.

"PAC have a great opportunity to overturn the review process that will shut down 71 schools now that Helen Clark has publicly criticised the reviews," says Mr English.

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