25 June 2008 Media Statement
National comes clean on Education policy – sort of
Another National MP has confirmed that the party plans to spend less on education than the government, says Education
Minister Chris Carter.
National Party MP Wayne Mapp told a public meeting in Auckland on Friday that his party would spend no more money on
education than Labour.
“National continues to mislead on its funding plans for schools – but its real plans to freeze school budgets are
becoming clear.
“Last week National’s education spokesperson Anne Tolley told 200 Auckland Primary principals that National would
provide no extra funding for schools on top of the cost of living. This is a remarkable turnaround from her pledge to
North Shore Principals a month earlier that National would consider increasing operations grants by 20% .
“Wayne Mapp went further than Mrs Tolley at an Auckland public meeting last Friday for parents and teachers of Gifted
Children saying increased funding for schools would only come from slashing staff at the Ministry of Education.
“Neither of these statements will be welcome news for schools, parents, the PPTA or the NZEI,” Chris Carter said.
“If implemented, holding funding increases to the rate of inflation would amount to a significant cut in funding for
schools. Since 1999 the government has increased schools’ operational funding by more than 46 per cent since 1999, or
17.8% per cent after inflation.
“Since 1999 the government has invested a whopping $5 billion extra into education.
“Even if National slashed the total wage bill for all Ministry of Education staff not directly involved in frontline
support for schools, early childhood centres and special needs pupils, it would still only add up to $21,900 per school.
Not even enough to fund a single new teacher.
“National Party leader John Key has already made it clear that his priorities for education lie in lifting the cap on
tax-payer support for private schools, privatising school property through public/private partnerships and slashing
essential services to schools provided by the Ministry of Education,” Chris Carter said.
ENDS