www.republicans.org.nz

Date 3 September 2007

Labour-Education meltdown

"The Education Ministry of this Labour Government is in melt down mode and Secondary Teachers are again, forced to threaten strike action", exclaims Paul Haynes, Education Spokesperson for the Republicans.

We have a complete refusal to negotiate on virtually all issues identified in the Taskforce Strategic Plan which is essential to ensuring quality education delivery.

Government Rhetoric delivered through the media; ''we're disappointed and dismayed,'' is not what should be seen as an acceptable problem solving process from Government.

"The media should be pursuing the Minister for answers, not hiding him in the shadows," says Haynes.

Once again this Labour Government has reneged on promises, throwing away years of joint long term planning and blaming teachers and their union. In a flippant about turn, the Ministry has dumped the recommendations of its own 'Taskforce on Secondary Teacher Remuneration' thumbed its nose at the PPTA, and has forced a return to adversarial squabbling.

Secondary teachers have been offered an average 3.45% pay increase locked in for three years. This is less than the annual cost of living increase; are teachers expected to work for less in the future than they earn now?

"It may come as a surprise to the Government but teachers do actually understand Maths and English, not just teach it", says Haynes.

"Don't expect teachers to lie down and be bullied. New Zealanders need to be outraged by this Governments duplicity, and support their teachers if they expect a functioning education system" adds Haynes.

Teachers are now being painted as self serving, greedy militants, along with; . bearing the brunt of the NCEA fiasco, . being increasingly subject to assault, . being blamed for adolescent sexual health, . being at the mercy of corporate sponsors for vital equipment/funding, . and soon to be de facto 'diet police'

So much for 'good faith' bargaining. It is this Government that will force teachers to strike. It is this Government that parents and students should blame for industrial disruption.

"This Government is going backwards and education is in meltdown "says Haynes.

ENDS

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