3 May 2002

OECD Report Highlight Failure Of Govt's Education Policies

Government education policies are doing exactly the opposite of what the OECD says is necessary to improve standards of New Zealand education, says National's Education spokesman, Nick Smith.

"This new OECD report highlights that improvements in education are critical to boosting economic growth and New Zealand's living standards.

"The report says increased parental choice is needed at the very time the Government is removing choice with rigid new zoning laws.

"The report also stresses that schools require greater flexibility in the use of resources, while the Government is centralising school funding and swamping schools in red tape.

"The report calls for earlier nationwide assessment of pupils whereas the first education decision of this Government was to can the implementation of national assessment.

"This report is a serious wake-up call for New Zealand education and we ignore its recommendations at the peril of our children," says Nick Smith.

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