Ministry of Education subverts democracy

30 November 2012

Ministry of Education subverts democracy

The Ministry of Education is subverting basic democratic processes by seeking sponsors of charter schools before legislation allowing their establishment has even been passed, said PPTA president Robin Duff.

Duff said a letter from the ministry notifying education groups that it was calling for indications of interest from organisations with an interest in becoming sponsors of charter schools was an “insult and an outrage”.

The Education Amendment Bill (no.4), that would allow the establishment of charter schools if enacted, is currently before the education and science select committee.

“The closing date for submissions to the select committee isn’t even until 24 January and yet we see the ministry already taking the first steps to getting charter schools established,” he said.

“Publicly calling for sponsors for entities yet to be established effectively prejudices a fair hearing as to whether or not they are a good idea.”

“It’s like they’re moving furniture into a house that’s still under auction. Where is their commitment to due process? It shows a total contempt for parliament and the democratic process.”

“We only have to look at the appalling way in which the ministry of education and its minister rejected collaborating with school communities in Christchurch before making important decisions about the future of education there, to see how the minister can ill-afford to make more gaffes that erode public confidence.”

ENDS

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