QPEC resource adds depth to the education debate

Media Release

10 June 2005

QPEC resource adds depth to the education debate

PPTA hopes a series of education fact-files launched today by the Quality Public Education Coalition (QPEC) will add much needed depth to the debate around education in the lead-up to this year’s election.

The QPEC fact-files are an assortment of 42 documents on key issues in education, ranging from voucher systems, school choice and zoning, to examinations, student fees and class size.

They were produced with the support of education unions PPTA, NZEI, ASTE, AUS and NZUSA.

PPTA president Debbie Te Whaiti said the fact-files took an even-handed look at the key aspects of educational reform around the world both from the point of view of advocates of public education and those supporting privatisation, and provided references to up-to-date international research in each area.

“PPTA supported this project because it wanted to see more informed debate around key education issues in this election year and beyond.

“In an election year, the great danger is that the debate around education becomes characterised by shallow slogans motivated by ideology and politics rather than what is really needed to improve our education system.

“The provision of education is enormously complex and the system we have today has been built over a long time by the professional dedication of teachers to their students.

“To simplify it into crude sloganeering is, quite frankly, an insult to the people who work in education and to parents who want the best for their kids.

“We hope this resource will help all educators, parents, politicians and media with an interest in improving New Zealand’s education system to become better informed about the real issues affecting our schools and education system.”

ENDS

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