Hipkins should extend consultation on Tomorrow’s Schools Review

ACT Leader David Seymour is calling on the Education Minister to provide more time for people to submit on the Tomorrow’s Schools Review in the wake of the Christchurch terrorist attacks.

“Last Tuesday in Parliament, I urged the Government to delay its existing schedule and give critical policy issues extra time so New Zealanders can have their say,” says Mr Seymour.

“I welcome the Government’s decision to extend consultation on the vocational education and training review by ten days until 5 April.

“But if Mr Hipkins genuinely wants people to have time to submit on important education reforms, he will also extend the Tomorrow’s Schools Review consultation period which currently closes on 7 April.

“That leaves just over a week. We know people often leave their submissions until the last minute. Given the tragic events in Christchurch, some New Zealanders will have lost critical time to make a submission.

“The Tomorrow’s Schools Review represents the biggest shakeup of our education system in 30 years.

“The Independent Taskforce has proposed radical changes, including removing important powers from parent-elected Boards of Trustees and giving them to new government-appointed Education Hubs.

“It is critical that every New Zealander that wants to have a say on these proposals be allowed to.

“Allowing an additional fortnight for people to make submissions would be a welcome gesture.”

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