School boards come of age

4

MEDIA RELEASE

School boards come of age

Schools boards turn 21 this month, and have demonstrated reaching their majority with their first ever significant collective action against a government policy. They are in a stand-off with the government – and the government cannot win.

That is the message from Dr Liz Gordon, QPEC national chair, on hearing that the government is considering using the forces of the state to subdue and discipline those schools which have withdrawn support for the system of National Standards.

“The issue before us is a simple one: what happens when boards, which govern schools under the Education Act, decline to introduce a policy or related action required by the government?”.

Dr Gordon said this is the first ever collective action by boards to oppose a government policy.

“While the government is threatening extra reviews, the withdrawal of professional development money and other sanctions, the reality is that a conflict with boards cannot be won”, she said.

She said that the emerging conflict arises from the government’s determination to implement a system of national standards which has too many fishhooks.

“The problem for the government now is that the action is pointed at both the policy itself, and its flaws, and also the government’s action in pushing it through.

“Threatening action to bring boards into line is therefore highly non-productive. Would the government seriously consider suspending democracy in 250 schools and bringing in a commissioner? A major confrontation between boards and the government would be highly unpopular in election year”.

QPEC’s view is that the policy of national standards has become more about the power of the government to implement policy than demonstrating student progress at school.

“Now the boards have called the government’s bluff, it is time for the government to stop its sabre-rattling and get rid of the flawed system of national standards, or it will face a coalition of teachers, principals and parents united against it in election year – surely a government’s worst nightmare”.

ends

© Scoop Media