stating I am not a particularly political person, but I think it is
important that as parents and caregivers you are aware of the impacts of
government policy on children and the government strategy for implementing the
policy.
You may have noticed that in
media over the last 6 months there has been a huge amount of negative reporting
about “our failing education system”.
Most of it is untrue and based on questionable research, for example New
Zealand is ranked in the top 5 of OECD rankings in most education areas. If there is any truth to the statements they
are generally an isolated case. The
reason for the negative press is to sway public opinion against teachers, schools
and our current education system, this gives the government justification for
the slash and burn policy they want to implement.
Don’t be deceived into thinking that any policies the government are
introducing are done for the well being of children. Education policy originates from and is
driven by Treasury who’s one aim is to save money. The reality of the 1:27.5 teacher/student ratio
means class sizes will be in the 30s.
The Minister has sited research suggesting class size doesn’t impact on
student learning. This is a shameless
manipulation of research which doesn’t take into consideration the needs based
teaching and learning that happens in New Zealand classrooms. Treasury hope to save $43 million through
this initiative.
The Ministry of Education, without any consultation with sector, have
transformed the Resource Teachers of Learning & Behaviour and dissolved the
Supplementary Learning Support Teachers, two critical groups of support
teachers who work with moderate to high need students. The expectation is that these students are
catered for in our now crowded classrooms.
The reality will be they will miss out on vital learning and support; this
will impact on all children.
These may seem like two fairly minor changes to our education system
but they are only ‘the tip of the ice berg’.
Our education system is becoming a ‘one size fits all’, regimented
system that does not celebrate or accommodate diversity and difference, two of
the key principals which have our system a world class education system.
