National ignores elephant in classroom with its plans for new school positions – Minto
Posted on January 23, 2014 by admin in John Minto, Press ReleasesBy Mana Movement Education Spokesperson John Minto
National is ignoring the elephant in the classroom with its plan to introduce “executive principals”, “change principals”, “lead teachers” and “expert teachers” into New Zealand schools.
Prime Minister John Key says it’s about reinforcing the kiwi belief in “egalitarianism” but egalitarian New Zealand was buried in 1984 by Labour and National and low-income communities are bearing the brunt of the enormous social problems, included educational underachievement, which have followed.
The elephant in every classroom is that student achievement overall is directly related to the income of the families whose children are in the classroom.
Inequality is widening in New Zealand and the achievement gap between students from high and low income families is likewise increasing as confirmed in the latest PISA (Programme in International Student Assessment) report.
The government is ignoring the elephant and instead implying that schools and teachers are the problem.
To improve egalitarianism and improve educational achievement the government should be looking at policies to reduce income inequality and the nasty social problems which go with it.
For example reducing the tax burden on low-income families who pay 14% of their income on GST (the rich pay less than 5%), increasing the minimum wage and providing good jobs should be at the heart of government policy.
How could we better spend $350 in schools?
The government’s additional $350 million would be much better spent reducing class sizes in schools in low-income communities. The government already provides massive funding subsidies to private schools to enable them to do this so why is this being withheld from state schools where the need is far greater?
Don Franks says:
Post Author January 24, 2014 at 10:44 pmKia ora John
that is a right on set out of the problem but as I see it we are still short of what to get out and campaign for.
There is no way National will be ” looking at policies to reduce income inequality and the nasty social problems which go with it”
What I think we need is a short sharp set of specific education demands that low paid workers would recognise to get an active campaign going,
jJust wondering about a hard hitting significant single issue campaign which might punch a hole in the election,
Nick says:
Post Author January 25, 2014 at 9:12 pmSound like a bizzare idea to me. Having viewed Keys statement on this and read the report, lead teachers and change principals make some kind of sense, though the amount of funding required to be diverted to these individuals is not justifiable, when it could be much more effectively spent, for example in reducing class sizes in low income communities as John suggests. As for the idea of expert teachers and executive principals, these are ridiculous roles which will fail to produce any impact. Whether the teaching Unions react to this at all will become more apparent over the next few weeks as school resumes, however judging by past experience it will fail to produce any real reaction by the Union executive. I hope I’m wrong.