David
SHEARER
Labour Leader
03 August 2012 MEDIA STATEMENT
National is jeopardising our children’s learning

Just two months ago National was hell-bent on expanding class sizes to find the money to spend on raising teacher quality. Now it says teacher quality is not important and they don’t care that children may end up being taught by people without any qualifications or training, says Labour Leader David Shearer.

“National's approach to education is shambolic and will jeopardise our children’s learning. Charter schools, which can be run by anybody who feels they want to start a school, is the latest in a succession of bad ideas. John Key is taking huge risks with our children’s learning and their future.

“Education is a priority for Labour. We should be investing in our children in their early years so that they have the best start in life and can reach their full potential. Short-sighted policies like increasing class sizes and using unqualified teachers will be a disaster.

“The latest plan is just a political ploy to ensure that disgraced ally John Banks stays part of National's coalition. It shows that National is prepared to risk compromising our children’s future for political gain.

“It’s incredible that in May the Education Minister was proudly outlining plans for investing $60 million in teacher quality and professional development. She was also planning a move to require new teachers to have post-graduate qualifications.

“Yet just a couple of months later, Hekia Parata and John Key are telling New Zealand parents they’re happy to stick their children in a classroom led by a teacher who isn’t even registered,” said David Shearer.

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