ACT on National's education policy

ACT Education spokesman Deborah Coddington today predicted many parents would be disappointed at the National Party's refusal to give schools the choice to dump the NCEA.

The MP was responding to the release of National's education policy today.

"Mums and dads throughout the country will be sorely disappointed with National's half-hearted plan to merely tinker with the NCEA," Miss Coddington said.

"It's past time National admitted it was wrong to introduce the NCEA. Instead National's trying to have it both ways by talking tough but only playing around the edges.

"Endless reviews only keep politicians and bureaucrats happy. The NCEA is fatally flawed. ACT would allow schools to scrap the NCEA and replace it with an internationally recognised, exam-based qualifications system.

"National's also failed to address the problem of literacy and numeracy standards. Instead of paying extra money for catch-up vouchers, we should raise standards so all children learn to read, write and add up before they're seven years old.

"Parents who want to give their children the world-class education they deserve should vote ACT this election," Miss Coddington said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media