4 June 2013

Immediate Release

Minister Refuses to Rule Out Charter School Agenda For Christchurch

NZEI Te Riu Roa says the Minister of Education needs to come clean about her real agenda for Christchurch education following revelations in Parliament today.

During question time, the Minister refused to rule out using schools in Christchurch earmarked for closure to set up charter schools.

And in Parliament today, Green party co-leader Metiria Turei tabled a cabinet paper dated 13 February 2013 that revealed the Minister believed that so-called "partnership", or charter schools, could be set up in "existing educational buildings" such as closed school sites or existing private schools.

NZEI Te Riu Roa National President Judith Nowotarski says this raises serious questions about the Government’s real motives for its plans around the closure of Christchurch schools.

"Many people have been asking for a long time now why certain schools, particularly those with very little structural damage and growing rolls have been targeted for closure. Perhaps this gives us some clues about the Government’s real thinking in Christchurch?"

"Sadly, this would appear to support the fears of many people in Christchurch that their children are being used by the Government as guinea pigs in an experiment that includes charter schools and super-sized campuses."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Stephanie Mill

Director of Campaign

NZEI Te Riu Ro

ENDS

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