Report A Recipe For Education Reform

ACT New Zealand Education Spokesman Deborah Coddington today welcomed the release of an Independent Schools of New Zealand report into Government funding, and described it as a worthy contribution to the education debate.

"Examining Government funding levels to independent schools, this report adds yet more weight to the growing clamour of voices demanding a new direction in New Zealand schools policy," Miss Coddington said.

"The Labour Government's recent education changes have been backward-looking, and were implemented for no other reason than to pander to the powerful teacher unions. It is refreshing to see suggested reforms that would benefit parents and children for a change.

"Giving more choice to low income families will improve overall education standards in New Zealand. For these families, education is their children's ticket out of poverty. Under Labour, they are missing the bus, and their futures are bleak.

"ACT agrees with the direction of reform outlined in the report. We should eliminate the artificial divide between `public' and `private' schools. All schools that educate New Zealand children are, in fact, `public' schools - the distinction between public and private schools exists solely to pacify self-interested union leaders and dinosaurs like John Minto.

"More and more parents are voting with their feet for a more diverse and high quality education system. It is time Education Minister Trevor Mallard and the Labour Government caught up with these trends. Wouldn't it be nice if Government policy helped - rather than hindered - parents' in their desire to build a better future for their kids?" Miss Coddington said.

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