1 February 2012
Corporate-Controlled Schools Coming?
‘The announcement to trial an imported model of ‘charter school’ prompts us to ask ‘what is so wrong with the charter
school model we have now?’ said Paul Drummond, President of the New Zealand Principals’ Federation.
New Zealand was the first country in the world to introduce charter schools and did so in the wake of the 1980s
‘Tomorrow’s Schools’ reforms. The charter is the document of accountability between the Board of Trustees and the
Ministry of Education.
‘We have the best model of charter school,’ said Drummond. ‘It allows our high quality public school system to flourish
and allows Kiwi Mums and Dads to have meaningful input into their local school’s curriculum and activities in
partnership with the educational professionals,’ he said. ‘The charter document keeps everyone accountable and the
Education Review Office audits schools regularly. Furthermore, New Zealand ranks right up the top in the OECD
achievement stakes, sitting alongside Finland and Singapore.’
‘Our charter school model also allows local business to support school activities and all over the country, schools are
enjoying the benefits of innovative and collaborative partnerships with them. That’s the kiwi way of doing things,’ he
said. ‘Why would we want to sell control of our local schools to the highest bidder?,’ said Drummond.
The Charter school model being promoted in New Zealand is like the American model. Funded by both government and another
entity such as a religious sect or a corporate, they can operate as profit making entities and have different
accountabilities and obligations from those in the public school system. The latest research results on charter schools
in America show that they heighten disparities in society and have no positive impact on student achievement.
ENDS