Late education policy a poor show for parties

Media Release
5 November 2008

Late education policy a poor show for major parties – PPTA

It’s less than a week before the country goes to the polls and both major parties have only just released their education policies – a move that has not impressed PPTA president Robin Duff.

“By dumping their education policies on voters so close to the election neither Labour nor National has given voters and the education sector the chance for reasoned dialogue,” Mr Duff said.

“It looks to us that, despite the rhetoric about the importance of education in the 21st century, neither party prioritises it as much as they claim”.

Mr Duff found this extremely disappointing, given the current climate of economic uncertainty.
“You would think policy surrounding the education system would be critical, not only now but in the future, if we are going to be seen as leading, not following,” he said.

Mr Duff described the policy Labour released yesterday as “generalised, vague and ‘feel-good’,” and felt it provided very little that had not been seen before.
The PPTA was particularly hoping for detail on resourcing, class sizes and staff recruitment and retention, and will continue to push for attention to those issues.

“It was particularly light on detail and now we are faced with very little time to look at the fine print and costings of what they are promising”.

Despite the short amount of time available to voters to digest the policies, Mr Duff urged them to consider both carefully.

“The quality of our education system is critical and recommendations for change deserve serious thought,” he said.

ENDS

© Scoop Media