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"A suffocating blanket of uniformity was thrown over the early childhood sector today by Education Minister Nick Smith," says Libertarianz Education Deregulation Spokesman Scott Alsweiler.

Thousands of New Zealanders send their children to Montessori schools, Steiner Schools and Kohanga Reo centres every day to avoid the the dumbed-down early childhood state alternative, or to follow their chosen educational philosophy. Today's announcement that only state sanctioned degree or diploma holders may now operate an early childhood centre sounds the death knell for all these centres. "It appears the state simply cannot tolerate this diversity in early childhood education," says Alsweiler.

While still awaiting further clarification, it appears that teachers who hold internationally recognised qualifications are to be disqualified from following their livelihoods in New Zealand, and that Montessori schools, Steiner schools, Kohanga Reo - and even apparently play centres - will be required to have holders of politically correct state diplomas dictating the way their schools are run.

"The state is effectively ensuring that no choice in early childhood education is available to parents," says Alsweiler. "The result will be abject dumbed-down uniformity of early childhood educational provision across the country - any differences will be in name only." "Make no mistake," says Alsweiler, "this is a disaster for thousands of New Zealanders who want a choice in how their children are educated. This must be fought vigorously."

ENDS

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Gordon Campbell: On the Sony cyber attack

Given the layers of meta-irony involved, the saga of the Sony cyber attack seemed at the outset more like a snarky European art film than a popcorn entry at the multiplex.

Yet now with (a) President Barack Obama weighing in on the side of artistic freedom and calling for the US to make a ‘proportionate response’quickly followed by (b) North Korea’s entire Internet service going down, and with both these events being followed by (c) Sony deciding to backtrack and release The Interview film that had made it a target for the dastardly North Koreans in the first place, then ay caramba…the whole world will now be watching how this affair pans out. More>>