Education Bill Progresses To Opposition’s Dismay

The Education Amendment Bill (No 2) has completed its first reading despite resistance from Opposition parties.

Education Minister Hekia Parata said the bill would set up an independent entity to promote standards and leadership within the education system.

The new body – the Education Council - would replace the Teachers Council and would work with a new regulatory regime.

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Chris Hipkins said the minister’s claim the Council would be independent and owned by teachers did not match with the bill which would have the minister make all the appointments.

The Council needed to have the confidence and the support of the profession and it would not have this in the form currently in the bill.

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The bill completed its first reading by 63 to 56 with National, Maori Party, ACT and United Future in favour and was sent to the Education and Science Committee with a report back date of July 21.

MPs began the first reading of the Health and Safety Reform Bill.

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