Tracey Martin MP
Spokesperson for Education
02 August 2012
Charter Schools Still a Pig of an Idea
New Zealand First says the Government’s move to change the name of its Charter Schools programme is just like putting
lipstick on a pig – at the end of the day it’s still a pig.
Education spokesperson Tracey Martin says Charter Schools, now inappropriately renamed Partnership Schools or Kura
Hourua, will become cash cows for foreign investors.
“Under the Government’s cosy arrangement, sponsors can operate multiple schools across New Zealand, skimming educational
dollars from taxpayers to pay dividends to their shareholders.
Ms Martin says this latest move is yet another step that is grinding the state education system into the ground.
“National are intent on cutting teacher study supports and implementing a raft of restrictive classroom assessments.
“They pour money into privately-owned ‘teaching’ entities that do not have to adhere to the New Zealand curriculum or
employ registered teachers in all their classes,” says Ms Martin.
ENDS