Real consultation on education needed in Christchurch

21 September 2012

Real consultation needed in Christchurch

NZEI says a proper process is needed in the plan for education in Christchurch with genuine consultation and community involvement.

Members of NZEI have said that they have not been consulted properly over the plans for their schools and early childhood education centres and last night’s meeting with primary principals and Boards of Trustees had done nothing to clarify the plan.

Lee Walker, principal at Linwood Intermediate in Christchurch, attended the meeting and said what had become clearer, was that it would be a complex process and that there was a lot of confusion around timeframes.

A letter from the Ministry formally advising schools of proposed closure or merger was due in about two weeks, with community consultation to then be completed in 5-6 weeks. He said that was unrealistic.

“The degree of detail that we needed from this meeting was not there. There are a totally unprecedented number of schools involved in this.”

He said the plan for education had produced more uncertainty at a time when the community, and Christchurch as a whole, did not need it.

Intermediate school teacher Niki Penny said her Christchurch school, which is also earmarked for closure, is in fight mode and says the proposed closure is illogical.

“We are not on the east side, we are in a growth area. It is crazy. There is a planned subdivision of 2,500 new sections up the road (from the school).’’

Niki Penny will be speaking at the rally tomorrow to oppose the government’s plan for education in Christchurch.

The rally is at Hagley Netball Courts, Christchurch, Sept 22 at 12pm.

ENDS

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