Awatere Huata's Message to United, Greens

Tuesday 30 Jul 2002

ACT Education Spokesman MP Donna Awatere Huata today wrote to the leaders of the Green and United Future parties, asking them to focus on education during their negotiations with Labour.

"There is a clear mandate from parents and teachers to scrap the poorly designed, under-resourced NCEA. Labour will never do so on their own. The Green party's policy is to delay NCEA and hold a review, while the United Future party does not seem to have established a policy on this vital issue.

"Now is the time for both of these parties to demonstrate a true commitment to New Zealand's kids. Both the Greens and United Future should argue to scrap the NCEA, and neither should give in without establishing at the very least a review which will make this possible.

"Mr Dunne's party is committed to the establishment of Charter schools, which is a welcome move away from Labour's heavy-handed state control. The Greens haven't established their credentials in education - now they can make up for that.

"The Green and United Future negotiators have a chance to make a real difference. I hope they will not squander that opportunity," Mrs Awatere Huata said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media