National’s Commitment to Dump Negative Policies for Education Must Stay, NZEI Says
The National Party’s decision to dump bulk funding of teacher pay and national testing of seven year olds under
Katherine Rich’s term as education spokeperson must stay if the party is to retain credibility with the education
sector, NZEI says.
NZEI, the union representing 46,000 education staff mainly in the early childhood and primary sector, says Katherine
Rich had had a consultative and considered approach to policy making that was welcomed by the sector.
“As National’s education spokeperson, Katherine was willing to engage and consult widely with people working in
education,” NZEI President Frances Nelson says. “NZEI welcomed National’s dumping of negative policies for students and
teachers such as national testing of seven year olds and the bulk funding of teacher pay under her stewardship.”
“We welcome Anne Tolley to her new role and expect that she will continue to engage openly with NZEI and others in the
sector to ensure sound education policy is adopted.”
ENDS