Media Release

14th August 2001

Phonics In All Classrooms Claim Unsupported By Evidence

"The claim made by NZEI President, Amanda Coulston, that most teachers use a mix of phonics and whole language methods could not be supported by the evidence," said New Zealand First Education Spokesperson, Hon Brian Donnelly MP.

While Amanda Coulston might know that that is what should be happening in classrooms, the evidence suggests no grounds for such confidence and it is that confidence that needs to be shaken by the Select Committee Report into the Teaching of Reading.

When on two occasions, different sub-committees from the same institution gave diametrically opposed views on the realities of classroom programmes, one has to have doubt.

What the select committee is recommending is that we ensure the Amanda Coulston's view of classroom practice is a reality.

ENDS

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