PM needs to disown Act’s dangerous education agenda

PM needs to disown Act’s dangerous education agenda

25 September 2014

The Prime Minister needs to make it clear that the government is not planning to introduce bulk funding of schools through the back door by doing a coalition deal with Act.

This follows recent signals that Epsom ACT MP David Seymour may be getting an education portfolio role in the government.

Act policies specifically include giving integrated and state schools the same “flexibility” as charter schools.

NZEI Te Riu Roa National President Judith Nowotarski says this would only lead to bulk funding and increased privatisation in our public education system.

“Bulk funding would destroy quality public education by undermining quality teaching and learning. It has been overwhelmingly rejected by parents and teachers in the past because of its dangerous consequences.

“We saw the consequences of the last “teapot” deal with Act and we can’t afford for that to happen again. The introduction of more privatisation and bulk funding of schools would indicate that the government is really intent on continuing down a path of radical reform that would be very damaging to quality public education and social equity.

“The Prime Minister needs to tell New Zealanders whether the government intends to continue experimenting with children’s education or whether it will adopt a more moderate approach and start to work with parents, teachers and principals for the sake of every child’s education."

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