NZPF reacts to National education policy

NZPF reacts to National education policy

- New Zealand Principals’ Federation -

The New Zealand Principals Federation has spoken out against the National Party’s latest statements on education, calling the policy a cynical attempt to gain votes.

John Key today outlined National’s education policy, which would make all primary schools test pupils' reading, writing and maths ability. It would also require schools to tell parents how their children and their school rate against national benchmarks.

NZPF President Judy Hanna says today’s statements are a knee jerk reaction to the flawed ERO report released last week. “The ERO report released last week said half of our schools do not report accurately to parents. The reality is that ERO should be caned for not counting correctly. The ‘half’ they refer to is in actual fact only 6% of our 2000+ schools. Cathie Wylie from the New Zealand Council for Educational Research has researched this using a much wider school base, and her research shows exactly the opposite - the majority of our schools are already reporting information effectively to parents.”

Mrs Hanna says this is yet another example of electioneering, again at the expense of the New Zealand education system. “Our students rate as sixth among all OECD countries, and our top 40% of students rate as the best in the world compared to their overseas counterparts. This is not an education system in crisis. John Key is using the ERO report in an attempt to gain votes, but in the process he is undermining what is a world class education system.”

“The NZPF strongly supports parents getting the best information possible about their children’s progress. We do not support comparisons of schools on a narrow band of information, that only looks at one part of a student’s educational needs. That is why we are opposed to this cynical attempt to place election votes ahead of student wellbeing and learning.”

Mrs Hanna says we could improve outcomes for all students at a far better rate if National actually promised to resource the education system properly. She goes on to say that National’s proposed system is national testing, despite them labelling it as benchmarking. “They are wanting all schools to choose from a limited range of tests, and report every child’s achievement as compared to nationally set standards. They can call it what they like, but it’s national testing and it does nothing to help each child learn.”

“This is nothing more than a cynical attack on a world class education system. Children should not be seen as vehicles for politicians and their agendas.”

Mrs Hanna was speaking from Auckland where the International Confederation of Principals 2007 Conference is being held. “We have more than 2000 principals here from around the world, and they are highly impressed with our education system. How ironic that politicians have chosen this moment to criticise us yet again.”

-ENDS-

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