Tracey Martin MP
Spokesperson for Education
15 January 2012

Education System under Attack While Nation Holidays

New Zealand First says the Government is attempting to sneak through unpopular changes which will destroy our public education system.

With submissions closing next Thursday on the Education Amendment Bill there is little time remaining for the public to voice its opposition to the Government’s privatization agenda.

Education spokesperson Tracey Martin says all those directly involved in education are on summer break – apart from those fixing the Novopay stuff ups – during the entire submission period.

“The Education Amendment Bill requires comment on Charter Schools which will become cash cows for foreign investors.”

Ms Martin says the Government is also attempting to slip through major changes to the Board of Trustees (BOT) governance role.

“The Government has already altered administration rules, without consulting BOTs, which will severely limit the voice communities have in the governance of schools.”

“This is a direct assault on the Tomorrow’s Schools model and is the precursor to a full governance review as also outlined in the Supply and Confidence agreement between ACT and the Government.

“We must not let this Government destroy our education system while we are all at the beach,” says Ms Martin.

ENDS

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