Call for departing minister to listen to educators - NZEI

Call for departing minister to listen to educators - NZEI

19 October 2016

NZEI Te Riu Roa wishes Education Minister Hekia Parata well, following her announcement that she is leaving politics, and hopes her parting move will be to listen to the education sector and ditch her radical bulk funding proposal in favour of better funding for education.

"Though we often disagree on the ways we want to achieve our goals - the best education for every child - it is clear that Hekia Parata has been passionate about her work in education," NZEI president Louise Green said.

"Recently the combined membership of the NZEI and the PPTA voted almost unanimously to reject the Government's radical funding proposals, which would result in bulk funding of schools and risk driving down the quality of public education.

"As a sign of genuine goodwill for the young people, parents, and educators who value public education, we'd ask the Minister to restore funding to early childhood education, and clearly rule out bulk funding before she leaves her role.

"We believe New Zealand children deserve the best education in the world and that our country can afford to provide it.

"Any replacement for Ms Parata must have the ability to convince Cabinet to significantly increase the funding of education, if they are serious about ensuring every child in New Zealand can access the best education possible," Ms Green said..

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