Deep Irony in National Standards Advisory Group

Deep Irony in National Standards Advisory Group Decision

The education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa believes it’s deeply ironic that the Government’s advisory group on national standards wants to listen to the voice of the wider sector, when the Government has worked so hard to ignore it.

The Independent Advisory Group of experts set up by the Education Minister to monitor the implementation of National Standards is reportedly setting up a wider group to consult with. The IAG Chairman said it wanted to “make the development of national standards something which is owned within the sector and not imposed on teachers’. The Education Minister Anne Tolley had earlier refused to set up a similar sector or partners group.

NZEI, which has been calling for a trial of national standards, says the IAG is taking a commonsense and professional approach which the Government has failed to do.

NZEI National Executive member Ian Leckie says “it appears we’ve got a situation where the government’s own advisory group is aware that the sector has been marginalised and that principals, teachers, Boards of Trustees and parents have no confidence in national standards.”

The government developed its national standards policy without input from the sector and continues to bulldoze it through in the face of widespread support from schools and communities for a trial.

“The Minister of Education may have chosen to shut the door on the sector, but at least the Advisory Group recognises the value in keeping it open,” says Ian Leckie.

ENDS

© Scoop Media