Parents of 3rd Formers Wanted As Trustees

CONCERNEDTEACHERS.com P.O. Box 5035 Papanui

Media Statement

Sunday 19 November 2000

Attention: Education/Political Reporters

Parents of 3rd Formers Wanted As Trustees

"The Board of Trustees election campaign has just begun and we aim to ensure the country's 350 secondary schools have people standing who are opposed to the NCEA," said Concerned Teachers spokesperson Peter Calvert.

"In particular, our group will be encouraging parents of Year 2000 third formers to stand as Trustees in order to veto the NCEA, the replacement for School Certificate. Even if these parents cannot stop the NCEA, they will be able to promote quality alternatives such as the Cambridge A or International Baccalaureate within their children's schools," said Concerned Teachers spokesperson Peter Calvert.

"It is this year's 65,000 third formers who are three year guinea pigs. In 2002 they face NCEA Level One, not School Cert; then in 2003, Level Two in Form Six and finally in 2004 they will prototype NCEA Level Three, not Form Seven Bursary. The parents of this experimental group should be on Boards of our schools implementing the new qualification," said Mr Calvert.

"Research and overseas experience shows that the new qualification will leave students with a worthless piece of paper - unlike current awards," said Mr Calvert.

Mr Calvert stated that Concerned Teachers wanted to encourage parents to politicise the secondary Trustee elections.

" National Trustee election co-ordinator, Janet Kelly says that she wants everyone to talk about the Board elections and to think about standing when nominations open on February 28, 2000. Concerned Teachers aims to make sure people know they have a chance to tell the Government 'They're Wrong' by standing for a secondary Board."

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For More information contact: Peter Calvert 021 2111 825

E-mail ConcernedTeachers@xtra.co.nz

Website www.concernedteachers.com

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