15 October 2013

The Buck stops with the Minister

The Green Party has stepped up its call for the Minister of Education to resign following the release of official information revealing new levels of distrust of the Minister and of the Government’s education agenda.

The Green Party has obtained a report, from the National Standards Aggregate Results Advisory Group, that includes recommendations to find a new “credible authority” to explain National Standards because the current “story” about the standards is not believable and says schools don’t trust the Government.
“This is a huge indictment on the Minister of Education’s management of the Government’s key education policy,” Green Party Co leader Metiria Turei.

“It is impossible to see how she can continue to manage her portfolio when teachers and parents simply don’t believe her in relation to National Standards.

“On top of the class size debacle, and her total mismanagement of the Christchurch school closures, this new information shows her education portfolio is in tatters.

“Even the Minister’s own National Standards advisory group is calling for someone else to explain a key Government policy to parents and the education sector.

“The group also calls for National Standards reporting to be made less regularly, says parents don’t understand the results as they’re reported and it questions the accuracy of many of the results.

“The group identifies as a serious concern, the lack of trust in the Government over National Standards.

“It is time for Prime Minister John Key to tell parents, teachers and children just why he trusts his Education Minister when evidence is mounting that no one in the education sector has any confidence in her at all,” Mrs Turei said.

Link to the official papers released to the Green Party under the OIA:
https://www.greens.org.nz/misc-documents/final-national-standards-recommendations-28-june-2013

ENDS

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Trial Over 'Anonymous' Donations: John Banks Resigns As Minister

ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court.

“Last week I indicated to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff that I would offer my resignation should the matter relating to my 2010 Mayoral Electoral return be committed to trial,” Mr Banks said...

“I intend to continue in my role as ACT Leader and MP for Epsom, and ACT will continue to support National on matters of confidence and supply. More>>