May 07, 2013
PPTA urging Maori Party policy switch


The Post Primary Teachers' Association is urging the Māori Party to listen to its voters and drop its support for charter schools.
The party has indicated it will support the ACT-promoted model of publicly-funded private schools because it sees opportunities for innovation in Māori education.
But PPTA president Angela Roberts says ACT has never shown any interest in the wellbeing of Māori.
She says those with the highest stake in the future of Māori children, Māori voters, have told the select committee they don't want the Education Amendment Bill.
A submission from Te Rūnanga ō Ngāi Tahu said the schools created an opportunity for the crown to opt out of its responsibility for positively increasing educational achievement for all Māori.
It requested trials not be conducted in any area that has high risk students.
The Government is promoting charter schools as being a boon for Māori and Pasifika students, and wants to pilot them in South Auckland and Christchurch.
Ms Roberts says the needs of Māori students can be met under the current system as long as resources were put in the right places.
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