16 October 2012

Immediate Release

Withheld information means Christchurch rethink is vital

More revelations of wrong and withheld information over the closure of Christchurch schools show the need for the Government to go back and start its consultation process again.

NZEI Te Riu Roa National President Ian Leckie says these revelations are further evidence that the Government has not been genuinely consulting with Christchurch schools and communities.

“It is concerning that new information is only now coming to light. This is information that should have been given earlier if school principals and their boards and communities were to have any meaningful dialogue with the Government.”

“Why were they not given this information earlier?”

“All this is on top of earlier findings that incorrect information was fed to the Minister as the basis for her decisions.”

“We believe that the Government has got the whole process wrong and needs to start again. This time it needs to reveal its thinking on the whole of Christchurch.”

“Otherwise, any so-called consultation will be seen for what it is – window dressing.”

“Clearly, withholding vital information makes it impossible for schools, early childhood centres and communities to make effective decisions or participate in consultation.”

“The Government needs to reverse its sham consultation process if it wants to convince Christchurch people that they are not being used as guinea pigs in a radical education experiment that goes way beyond reinstating quality public education in the city.”
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