NZPF: Get your facts right, English

NZPF: Get your facts right, English

The New Zealand Principals’ Federation is disgusted with National education spokesperson Bill English’s latest comments about their organisation.

Mr English stated in a press release on Friday 9th September that “Boards must wonder why they pay fees for their principals to join the Principals Federation when the Federation so bitterly opposes better information for parents.”

“This is blatantly untrue,” says NZPF President Pat Newman. "The NZPF has never and would never oppose better information for parents. The National Party has taken our comments totally out of context. Our issue with the National Party education policy is not the level of information given to parents. We oppose their simplistic report card, which will give parents far less information about their child’s progress that they currently receive.”

Newman says the NZPF’s role is to represent the best interests of its 2000-plus members. “The NZPF is certainly not a union. We are the professional body representing the majority of New Zealand’s principals. Mr English may think we have hidden agendas, but the simple truth is that we have chosen to speak out against National’s education policy because we firmly believe it will be detrimental for our children if put into place. ”

Newman is disappointed with English’s attack. “With only a week until the election, I would suggest the National Party needs to focus on getting its policy messages across, rather than taking pot-shots at organisations like ours. Mr English’s comments are petty and unnecessary and further denigrate the hard work our members, Boards and students are already doing in schools.”

ENDS

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