Government needs to listen to concerns over class sizes

23 May 2012

For Immediate Release

Government needs to listen to strong concerns over class sizes

NZEI Te Riu Roa says the government needs to heed the call of Federated Farmers which has come out today against the decision to increase class sizes.

Federated Farmers says the policy will compromise the future of rural children.

NZEI President Ian Leckie says that as a former rural teacher, he knows the concerns of the group are valid.

Mr Leckie says rural children and smaller schools will be hit hard by any reduction in the number of teachers.

“Already there are situations where teachers have to teach a wide age range so larger classes and fewer teachers will exacerbate that situation.”

“We’ve had a steady stream of emails from parents all around the country, including rural areas, who are very concerned about the future of quality education in this country. The government needs to listen to those concerns instead of putting children at risk in order to follow its flawed ideology.”

“Rural communities are very vulnerable and the government needs to listen to their concerns.”
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