Who do we Believe: the Teachers or the Minister?
Tuesday 29 Jan 2002 Donna Awatere Huata Press Releases -- Education
ACT Education Spokesman MP Donna Awatere Huata today condemned Education Minister Trevor Mallard for refusing to treat
the teacher shortage crisis seriously
"The teacher shortage crisis is being felt nationwide by teachers, parents and children. Yet our Education Minister is
impervious.
"Mr Mallard is patronising teachers when he accuses them of `crying wolf'. They are in fact crying out for the kids.
The Minister cannot continue to undermine teachers' integrity.
"Mr Mallard is accusing teachers, boards of trustees and principals of all lying. He's treating parents like fools.
"Reports from schools are proof that we are in a crisis. We desperately need more teachers in front of kids. Mr Mallard
had two years to come to terms with staffing projections. Either he is trying to save money by skimping on the teachers
we need, or he has acted incompetently.
"Refusing to admit that there is a crisis will only worsen the situation in the classroom," Mrs Awatere Huata said.
ENDS
For more information visit ACT online at http://www.act.org.nz or contact the ACT Parliamentary Office at
act@parliament.govt.nz.