NZEI

National education testing results should not be used to judge a school or teachers' performance, visiting Australian academic Margaret Wu says.

An 11.7% increase in the cost of early childhood education has put increased pressure on the family budget.

The Otago Primary Principals' Association believes the fight against national standards in New Zealand primary and intermediate schools may shift up another gear with the election of a new president at the New Zealand Educational Institute.

Education Secretary Karen Sewell is calling for restraint when bargaining for the state and state-integrated teachers and principals' collective agreements gets under way.

Dunedin North list MP Michael Woodhouse says it appears the New Zealand Educational Institute is more interested in "undermining" the implementation of National Standards than it is in genuine engagement on the policy.