Concerns about primary school support staff and continuing
controversy over National Standards were highlighted at a
lively "speak up for education" pre-election meeting in
Dunedin last night.
The majority of Otago primary and intermediate
principals have welcomed the Labour Party's vow to scrap
compulsory National Standards should the party win the
forthcoming general election.
The Pembroke School
board of trustees feels "let down" after the Ministry of
Education used the Education Act to force the school to amend
their annual charter to include National Standards targets.
Outrage has flared across the New Zealand education sector at
the Ministry of Education's punishment of Pembroke School,
and some believe the punitive measures will only intensify
for the school board and others who challenge National
Standards.
Thirty-three Otago and Southland primary schools will be
among more than 300 nationwide which will defy the
Government's National Standards policy tomorrow in what is
expected to be the most visual rebellion so far.
Prime Minister John Key used a visit to a school with a
"special friend", Australian leader Julia Gillard, to
acknowledge National Standards had not gone as smoothly as
planned.
Thirty-one primary and
intermediate school boards of trustees in Otago and Southland
have joined a group of nearly 300 boards nationwide which are
"overwhelmingly committed" to defying compliance with the
Ministry of Education's National Standards.
The Ministry of Education has started
contacting the boards of trustees of every primary and
intermediate school in the country to find out their stance
on National Standards.
