Another lesson for Govt on National Standards

Another lesson for Govt on National Standards

News that the Auckland Primary Principals’ Association (APPA) has recommended its members stop attending training for the implementation of the new National Standards is further proof that the Government needs to reassess the flawed policy, the Green Party said today.

“John Key and Anne Tolley need to listen to the APPA and the 37,000 people who signed the petition expressing concern with the National Standards and immediately re-evaluate the policy,” Green Party education spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said.

In a letter outlining the decision, the APPA describes the Government’s National Standards policy as “irreconcilably flawed, confused and unworkable”.

“I applaud the APPA’s commitment to protecting our children from these unworkable and undermining standards,” Ms Delahunty said.

“It echoes the feelings of the 37,000 New Zealanders who signed the NZEI’s petition expressing concern with the Standards that was presented to Parliament earlier this week.

“The Green Party shares the APPA’s concern that the National Standards could wrongly label children as failures.
“National Standards risk damaging the motivation and learning outcomes of many children. If they are used to produce public league tables as happens overseas, they could undermine the great work happening in many schools, particularly in low-decile areas.

“League tables are for sports teams and labels are for jam jars, not our kids” Ms Delahunty said.
Ms Delahunty said the APPA is right to note that schools can and do already use robust assessment practices and report accurately to parents in plain language.

“There is no need for these unworkable, untrialled National Standards,” she said.
“John Key and Anne Tolley can no longer ignore the widespread public concern about the National Standards policy.
“Anne Tolley has threatened to sack Boards of Trustees who refuse to implement the National Standards, but she can’t sack all the principals in Auckland.

“The message from the public and the Auckland principals is clear. Now it is the Government’s move. Will John Key and Anne Tolley listen?”

ENDS