9th April 2011
For Immediate Release

Government can’t ignore vote of no confidence in National Standards

A vote of no confidence in National Standards and current education policy should serve as a wake up call to the government that it can’t continue to ignore the voice of those at the chalkface, says the education sector union, NZEI Te Riu Roa.

More than 750 principals attending the New Zealand Principals’ Federation conference in Wellington passed a vote of no confidence in the education policy and direction of the current government in relation to National Standards as lead by the Education Minister Anne Tolley.

NZEI shares NZPF’s concerns and says the vote reflects the deep frustration within the education sector.

“That frustration is starting to boil over and represents the government’s and the Minister’s failure to connect with the sector and build relationships,” says NZEI President Ian Leckie.

“As professionals and educators we feel completely marginalised as the government pursues a political agenda for education rather than educational policy based on what’s best for children, teaching and learning. Any attempts to raise our concerns about untried and untested National Standards are met with arrogant disregard.”

NZEI is committed to turning what is a great education system into an even better one but it requires a constructive working relationship between the government and schools.

“Let’s hope this vote of no confidence by the country’s principals in National Standards, the direction of education policy and the Minister herself, will serve to drive that message home,” says Mr Leckie.

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