30 August 2006

Greens zone in on solution

A School Review Authority such as that proposed by the Green Party would provide a solution to conflict between schools, the Ministry and parents in enrolment concerns, like that raised by the zoning issues at Auckland Grammar.

A School Review Authority would act as a judicial body and make binding decisions on enrolment issues. It is easier to access and cheaper to attend than the current option - the High Court - meaning that ordinary families have somewhere to go to settle these issues.

The School Review Authority is the subject of a private members bill developed by Metiria Turei and now led by Nandor Tanczos.

"Parents must rely either on the Ministry or take declaratory or judicial review action to the High Court if there is an enrolment disagreement. Judicial review action is outrageously expensive and most families simply can't afford it. If the Ministry doesn't help them, families have nowhere to go.

"Schools would also be able to access the authority to get clarity over what they can and can't do. The authority could make declarations on the meaning of the Education Act and therefore give schools the certainty they need to manage their rolls appropriately.

"The Government has consistently failed to support this measure because they prefer families and schools to bear the full personal and financial cost of enrolment issues. We have a solution that could provide real relief to families and schools," Mrs Turei says.

ENDS

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