Congratulations Peter Dunne – no place for charter schools in this country

NZEI Te Riu Roa is welcoming the decision by United Future leader Peter Dunne to withdraw support for the Government/Act proposal to introduce dangerous charter schools into New Zealand.

NZEI National President, Judith Nowotarski says Mr Dunne has clearly listened to the advice from international experts and from New Zealanders who have made it clear that this failed model has no place in New Zealand’s quality education system.

“I congratulate Mr Dunne on this decision.”

“It is very important that charter schools do not become part of New Zealand’s education landscape. They will be bad news for children’s education, particularly for those children who are struggling.”

She says Mr Dunne is absolutely right when he says the current system already provides for a diverse range of schooling opportunities.

“Expert evidence is that charter schools will be bad for children’s education and will undermine our quality public education system.

“The Government did not campaign at the last election on charter schools. It was clearly a cup of tea deal between John Key and John Banks but kept under the table until after the election.

She says charter schools are not about providing good education but about ideology, competition and privatising our quality public system.

The Government has no mandate for the introduction of taxpayer funded charter schools and should instead start to focus on supporting and enhancing our quality public education system to ensure that all children get a fair chance of a great education.

© Scoop Media