NZEI calls on MPs to defend public education today

Wednesday, 9 November 2016, 2:05 pm
Press Release: NZEI

NZEI calls on MPs to defend public education today

NZEI Te Riu Roa is calling on MPs to vote for the future of public education today, by using a one-off opportunity to make American-style charter schools history.

Parliament is today voting on Labour's Chris Hipkins' bill to abolish the charter school model.

"Today is an opportunity to defend New Zealand's public education system from efforts to privatise and Americanise our chidrens' education," NZEI National Secretary Paul Goulter said.

"Charter schools have been used as a tool to decimate the public education system in America, and we call on all MPs to use the opportunity to protect our public education today.

"Charter schools suck up funding that should be used to pay for quality public education, for every New Zealand child.

"Education experts don't back charter schools, big business does. We're calling on MPs to put children ahead of ideology today and relegate the charter school failure to history," Mr Goulter said.

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NZEI Te Riu Roa

New Zealand Educational Institute

NZEI Te Riu Roa members work in every community in New Zealand, leading and advocating for quality public education.

We are the 50,000 principals, teachers and support staff who work in primary, area and secondary schools as well as early childhood centres, special education and school advisory services. We come together as NZEI Te Riu Roa - New Zealand's largest education union, a Treaty based organisation and a powerful advocate for quality public education.

We have the most important job in New Zealand - educating for the future.

Contact NZEI Te Riu Roa

• Website - www.nzei.org.nz
• Email - nzei@nzei.org.nz
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• Media Contact - media@nzei.org.nz
• Phone - 04 382 2703
• Support - Stand Up For Kids
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