2 August 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT

Charter schools no substitute for trained teachers

Kiwi children deserve the best teachers and the Government’s plan to allow unregistered teachers into the classrooms of charter schools is a disgrace, says Labour’s Education spokesperson, Nanaia Mahuta.

The Government has today unveiled its framework for charter schools, which allows them to use unregistered teachers and effectively opt out of the national curriculum.

“You wouldn’t let an untrained doctor treat your child, or let just anyone design your house. So why do John Banks and Hekia Parata think it is okay to have untrained teachers in front of children in our schools’ classrooms?

“The National-Act Government claims it wants to improve teacher quality. But allowing unregistered teachers into the classroom will do the exact opposite.

“Our kids deserve trained professionals who know how to get the best out of them.

“There is simply no evidence that charter schools lead to improved results for kids. In fact, overseas experience has proved that more often than not charter schools fail.

“The Government should concentrate on the needs of children in our public schools, rather than wasting its time and taxpayers’ money experimenting on charter schools,” says Nanaia Mahuta.
ends

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