PM Needs To Turn Words To Action On Natl Standards

Media Release July 15th, 2009
From NZEI Te Riu Roa For immediate use

Prime Minister Needs To Put Words Into Action On National Standards

The education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa has welcomed comments made by the Prime Minister on the implementation of new national standards, but says action speaks louder than words.

John Key said today that he wants the standards to be implemented in a spirit of co-operation and not as a cause of resentment among teachers and principals. He also said that while he understands many of the concerns expressed by the sector, the government is serious about rolling out the policy.

NZEI, which represents thousands of primary school principals and teachers, says it appreciates the Prime Minister’s sentiments but the government needs to prove it is listening to those concerns and acting on them. NZEI members have overwhelmingly said the timeframe for getting the new national standards in place and then used as a tool to report back to parents, is far too tight.

NZEI National Secretary Paul Goulter says “there is also firm opposition to any centralised collection of standards data if it is to be used to draw up simplistic league tables, which we know do nothing to improve learning outcomes for children.”

He says what teachers and principals want from the government now is a commitment that the timeframe will be pushed out, and a guarantee that standards data will be protected.

“Mr Key’s comments are encouraging in that teachers and principals want to work constructively and co-operatively alongside government in implementing appropriate national standards, but in turn the government must also listen to us, and back up its words with action,” says Mr Goulter.

ENDS

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