More reasons why Government needs to start again in Chch

4 October 2012

Immediate Release

More reasons why Government needs to start again in Christchurch

Revelations of further mistakes by the Ministry of Education in its report on the future of education in Christchurch are more reasons why the Government needs to start the process again.

Last week, amid concerns over a lack of consultation with Christchurch people, NZEI Te Riu Roa called on the Government to abandon its proposals to close and merge many of Christchurch’s schools and to begin the process again.

Now, latest revelations show that in several cases, the Ministry’s report claimed schools had more earthquake-damaged buildings than there are buildings.

“Clearly this shows that the proposed plan is poorly done and is not based on real facts,” says NZEI Te Riu Roa National President Ian Leckie.

“So again, we call on the Government to start the process again and reveal what the thinking is for the whole of Christchurch. And this time there needs to be genuine consultation.”

He says first, there needs to be a proper consultation process over the whole-of-Christchurch picture. And only once that has been completed, can we then talk about the future of individual schools and early childhood centres.

“The basic errors in the report indicate that the planning isn’t based on addressing real need or issues but more likely the quake is an excuse to making far-reaching changes to the way that education is delivered in Christchurch.

“It’s further evidence of why Christchurch people do not have confidence in the process so far and we need to start all over again.”

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