New member for Education Forum

MEDIA RELEASE: 13 March 2008

New member for Education Forum from Independent Schools of NZ

The Education Forum is pleased to welcome the new executive director of Independent Schools of New Zealand (ISNZ), Deborah James, as a member.

Ms James has recently joined ISNZ from St Margaret's College in Christchurch, where she was director of development. Ms James has also held long-term voluntary positions in governance and marketing at independent schools and not-for-profit organisations, and has trained and worked as a teacher.

Education Forum chairman Byron Bentley said it was pleasing that a private sector educationist of Ms James' quality was joining the Education Forum.

"We are fortunate to have quality leaders from all sectors of education as members of the Forum - Ms James' appointment continues that pattern and will help us in our advocacy for education choice in New Zealand.

"There is a real demand from Kiwi parents for choice over their children's education - independent and public. Ms James' appointment will help us to strongly continue and foster that debate."

ISNZ is a Wellington-based organisation that represents 80 percent of New Zealand's 30,000 private sector-educated children.

The Education Forum is an education advocacy organisation that works for higher standards and more freedom in education, including: increased parental choice; high quality assessment; more autonomy for schools and tertiary institutions; the acceptance of healthy competition in the education sector; and the development of closer links between education institutions and industry.

ENDS

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