Another principal takes a stand on principle

Posted on May 29, 2012 by admin in Hone Harawira, Press Releases

“One of the secondary effects of the Ministry of Education’s nasty and mean-spirited attack on Moerewa School was to scare other principals into keeping their mouths shut” said MANA Leader, Hone Harawira.

“So I congratulate Palmerston North’s Wayne Codyre, Principal of Ross Intermediate, for refusing to be cowed, and for his strong and sincere comments in challenging the Ministry’s decision to increase class sizes”. Codyre stated “The government is trying to silence principals from trying to make public statements against policy. In 10 years as a principal I have never used a school newsletter to make any strong political statement. Today I have no choice”. Codyre said Ross Intermediate would have to sack four frontline teachers and increase their average school class from 29 to 36, under government’s new policy on bigger class sizes.

Harawira said that bigger class sizes are not supported by educational research, by teachers, parents, or school boards.

“Principals all round the country know that bigger class sizes will mean less one-on-one attention for students and the loss of some excellent teachers” said Harawira. “And they will draw wide support if they decide to take action to oppose this short-sighted policy.”

ENDS

 

 

For more information please contact Malcolm Mulholland on 027 765 6380