Balclutha School principal and promoter of the South Otago schools community of learning initiative Paddy Ford said 17 South Otago schools had signed an ''expression of interest'' in forming a COL, but the schools believed that was all it was at this stage - an expression of interest.
He was concerned that earlier this week, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced in a press release, the South Otago schools were among 444 schools which had formed into communities of learning.
Ms Parata said a total of 793 schools had now agreed to work systematically together to raise pupil achievement.
''This is a terrific development because it means that one year into the four-year roll-out of the programme, about a third of our students are in line to benefit from their schools sharing expertise and resources.''
Communities of learning are funded through the Government's $359million Investing in Educational Success initiative, in which schools lift the quality of teaching and learning in areas such as maths and reading, by sharing the expertise and best practice of each other's teachers and principals.
''I want to thank all the schools that have seen the potential of this initiative to lift achievement for their kids,'' Ms Parata said in the press release.
Mr Ford said some of the 17 South Otago schools were not yet convinced a COL would be the solution to raising education standards in the region, and he was concerned the schools' ''expression of interest'' was being portrayed by the ministry as ''wonderful support from schools for the initiative''.
''Some schools here are not yet 100% sold on the idea. We're looking at it, but I wouldn't say it's a done deal. We're still working to get everyone on board.
''Personally, I still think it's a good idea, but not everybody is convinced.''
He said South Otago school principals had attended many meetings to get this far.
''We have discussed all the pros and cons as we see them. We have met with the minister. We have argued the concept and not everybody thinks it will help, but we have agreed to look further.
''It is correct that the South Otago schools ... have signed an expression of interest. But that is all it is at this stage.
''I am one of the promoters of the initiative but that does not mean that all schools in the district are as keen as mustard or sold on the idea. We want to see what it means for us. We want to explore the possibilities, but if it doesn't work for us then we will not proceed. It is an individual school choice.''
Education Minister Hekia Parata said schools were included in the communities of learning announcement because they indicated they wished to be part of communities of learning.
''If they don't wish to be part of communities of learning, they don't have to. Participation is voluntary,'' she said.
