Govt needs to start again over Christchurch education plan

27 September 2012

Government needs to start again over Christchurch education plan

NZEI Te Riu Roa is calling on the Education Minister Hekia Parata to stop the sham consultation process over the future of education in Christchurch and start again – and this time do it properly.

National President Ian Leckie says the Government needs to reveal its thinking about its whole of Christchurch picture for education.

“They’ve got the process wrong, the community needs to know what the Government’s thinking is on the whole of Christchurch.”

Mr Leckie has been meeting with education and community sector groups and says it is clear that any so-called consultation has been window-dressing.

“The way the process has been managed has made it impossible for schools, early childhood centres and communities to make effective decisions or participate in consultation without knowing the big picture.”

“We need to know what the Government is really thinking. First, we need a proper consultation process over the whole-of-Christchurch picture. And only once that has been completed, can we then talk about the future of individual schools and early childhood centres.”

“That’s why we’re calling on the Government to put a halt to the process, admit they got it wrong, and start to genuinely engage with the people of Christchurch on the big picture.”

“The scale of the proposed plan for Christchurch has caused a lot of anger, stress and resentment amongst Christchurch people. Many believe Christchurch is being treated as a guinea pig in a radical education experiment that goes way beyond reinstating quality public education in the city.”

ENDS

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