Anne Tolley MP
National Party Education Spokeswoman
19 June 2008
Wassup? More Labour waste
The spending of $56,000 on badges to promote Maori education is typical of Labour's profligate spending of education
dollars, says National's Education spokeswoman, Anne Tolley.
The badges featured phrases such as 'Nice!' and 'Wassup!'
"This may be the very last straw for schools that were so insulted by the small increase in operational funding in the
Budget that they are boycotting Labour's Schools Plus policy.
"And why wouldn't it be?
"Labour has squandered education dollars on bureaucracy, strategies, policies, talkfests, and gimmicks while parents
continue to pick up the tab for the educational basics.
"They have recklessly frittered away millions that should have been used for the core curriculum while ignoring a
literacy disgrace among our school leavers.
"They should be hanging their heads in shame at presiding over an education system that is in such disarray that
principals, teachers, parents, and unions are united in their condemnation.
"Education Minister Chris Carter must explain, and fast."
ENDS