Media Release 13 March 2013 – for immediate release

School Trustees question democratic process

Wellington Wairarapa School Trustees Association question the democratic process being followed in progressing the Education Amendment Bill into legislation. Submissions were heard up until February 28th, and now have a further five weeks before the Committee presents their report to Parliament, states Chris Toa, Chairperson of the Association. However, John Banks announced, the following day, March 1st, the members of the Partnership Schools Authorisation Board, and on March 7th the Ministry called for applications ‘to operate a Partnership School opening in 2014’. Responses to the Ministry close two days before the Select Committee report to Parliament on April 18th. “With relevant legislation yet to go before Parliament this would seem a little premature” says Mr Toa.

“Many of our members - Boards of Trustees and individual school trustees - are included in the 1,700 submissions made to the Education and Science Select Committee raising concerns over the proposed changes to the Education Act that would see schools able to employ unqualified teachers, charter / partnership schools being funded by taxpayers, and these schools exempt from public accountability through the means of the Official Information Act and the Ombudsman’s Office”.

It would appear that Partnership Schools are a forgone conclusion and that regardless of evidence, expert advice or Select Committee recommendations the Government will pass the amendments to the Education Act. “If the Minister and her Government are not willing to consider the evidence before them it begs the question ‘for what purpose are they introducing Partnership Schools?’ asks Mr Toa. “If it was for sustainable education performance then surely they would base that on the evidence.

ENDS

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>