Charter school removal a great day

Charter school removal a great day for students, teachers and parents

Students, teachers and parents will all benefit from the government’s decision to back public education in New Zealand by removing the legislation that created charter schools.

PPTA president Jack Boyle said the decision to include the removal of charters schools in Education Amendment Bill marked a great day for public schools and their communities.

“Public schools can and do reflect the diversity in their communities and are responsive and accountable to them. Many public schools are using the creativity of NCEA and the New Zealand Curriculum far better than any charters and it is no surprise well-supported and skilled professional teachers are more likely to be innovative. We don’t need charter schools for innovation,” he said.

Boyle gave credit to the Labour-led government for following through on their promises in good time.

“This was a strong policy position of all three parties of government, so a majority of New Zealanders clearly voted for this,” he said.

This was in stark contrast to the way charter schools were introduced, with the Act party not even having them on its manifesto. “No one saw them (charter schools) coming when they emerged from the coalition deal,” he said.

With the rest of the world turning against privatised, for-profit, education New Zealand can lead the world with real investment and support for public education, he said.

“This is a really positive sign.”

ENDS

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