Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Lance O’Sullivan Joins Treaty of Waitangi Campaign

Lance O’Sullivan Joins Treaty of Waitangi Campaign Against Closure of Charter Schools


SEE DR LANCE O’SULLIVAN’S FACEBOOK POST:

https://www.facebook.com/671473802/posts/10155689149538803/

Prominent Maori leader Dr Lance O’Sullivan has added his support to the campaign launched by Sir Toby Curtis against the closure of Charter Schools.

Dr O’Sullivan met with Sir Toby this week to pledge his support for the campaign and thank him for the role Sir Toby played in his own education pathway.

“I was a student who failed twice in the traditional education system. It was only when I had the privilege of attending a school where my own culture and language was valued and encouraged that I understood that I had the ability to succeed and create a better life not only for me and my family, but also for others,” Dr O’Sullivan said.

“The traditional state school model works for a large proportion of students, but many Maori and Pacific Island students in particular are under-achieving in this system.

“I have been astounded at the huge increase in academic achievement for Maori and Pacifica students that charter schools have achieved, and it is a tragedy that what is working so well for these students has been taken away.”

Dr O’Sullivan said he had talked with many students in charter schools and the common theme was that for the first time in their lives they had experienced the structure, discipline, caring and hope that encouraged them to take a more positive attitude to their education and their future.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

“There is absolutely no doubt that charter schools have worked very well for Maori and Pacifica students. I simply do not understand why the Government has insisted on closing down a model that has worked so well and has forced these schools to become integrated into a state system that failed so many of their students,” he said.

“I urge the Government to put aside their ideological view that only the State can provide a decent education to New Zealand children. Charter schools have proven that thousands of young New Zealanders who were previously truant, uninspired and isolated have found a bright future within the charter school model.
“These young New Zealanders deserve encouragement and positive reinforcement for turning their lives around. I am simply gutted that other young New Zealanders whdeserve an education which works for them will no longer have that opportunity,” Dr O’Sullivan said.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.