Chch Teacher Police Submissions Canned

Sunday 25 March 2001

“Parliament’s Education and Science Committee has canned hearing submissions in Christchurch on Monday 26th March, canning our democratic right to submit,” said Concerned Teachers spokesman Peter Calvert. Mr Calvert said he had been due to present its submission on the Education Amendment (No 2) Bill on Monday, before the Christchurch hearing was summarily cancelled. “They apologised to submitters and have said we are free to contact our local MP and talk to them about this!”

“Three more days have been set aside by the Committee in Wellington (27th and 28th) and one in Auckland (23rd) but Christchurch people miss out with no explanation given. The Committee has even asked for more submissions past the due date – surely those who got their submission in on time like us deserve first priority to be heard,” said Mr Calvert.

“Our group strongly objects to the so called Education Council part of the new Bill but has our right to submit cancelled without explanation,” said Mr Calvert. “Our group believes this teacher funded Teacher Police scheme will eventually undermine the current Teacher Registration Board model. We think the status quo should be retained,” said Mr Calvert.

“Fees to be paid by teachers for the Education Council are likely to rise dramatically (300% probably), yet grassroots teachers are being refused the chance to speak to the Bill in Christchurch,” said Mr Calvert.

“The proposed Code of Ethics is so vague and the complaints procedure so broad that, if enacted, it will lead to teacher bashing on a scale never before seen in this country. Mr Mallard and his Government appear happy to extend the throwing of scumbag allegations and dirt round Parliament into the classrooms of the nation,” said Mr Calvert.

“Grassroots teachers disagree and would like the democratic chance to say so to the MPs in Christchurch,“ said Mr Calvert.

Ends:

For More information contact: Peter Calvert 021 2111 825 E-mail ConcernedTeachers@xtra.co.nz Website www.concernedteachers.com

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