Key/Banks Government sells kids out to corporates and ideologues

2 August 2012

Vulnerable pupils need a strong state education system, not to be forced into schools run by corporate or religious groups that could impose their agenda while trying to make a buck from them, the Green Party said today.

The Government has released new, disturbing details of its experimental charter schools model, now renamed ‘Partnership Schools’ which will be headed up by “sponsors”.

“It says schools will be set up in areas of significant educational disadvantage, by organisations that are free not to follow the national curriculum, to employ untrained teachers, and to teach their own ideologies to our most vulnerable learners,” Green Party education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said.

“Kids in these areas are unlikely to be able to afford to bus to other schools. They’ll be stuck with whatever ideology their “sponsor” wants to run the school by.

“And to make it worse, it will now be “optional” whether these schools give parents any significant say in the running of schools.

“Our free, public, education system is internationally regarded and is a national treasure. This is the first step in Act’s aim to erode it, then palm off responsibility for it to the business sector.

“By plonking these experiments in the middle of disadvantaged areas they could have a disastrous effect on other local schools who need more support and resources and should not be forced to compete with schools run by McDonalds or Destiny Church.

“The fact is no corporate is going to want to be involved in a school unless it can make a buck.

“That this buck could be made off some our most disadvantaged kids is horrible and New Zealanders will not stand for it,” Ms Delahunty said.

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