August 26, 2014
Parata counting on Maori backing for reform
Education Minister Hekia Parata says her plan to share high-performing teachers around a cluster of schools will continue, despite its rejection by primary teachers.
NZEI members have voted by 93 percent that they have no confidence in the Investing in Educational Success policy.
The union says the policy's one-size-fits-all, top down management structure is at odds with Tomorrow's Schools, and there is no evidence it will help student learning.
They say the money would be better spent helping lower decile schools deal with the effects of poverty.
Ms Parata says she has signed an agreement in principle with the School Trustees Association, and secondary teachers are also on board with the plan.
She says it's also getting the backing of leading Maori educators, such as Pem Bird from Te Kura Kaupapa Motuhake O Tawhiuau in Murupara.
"They're very interested in any initiative that is going to move Maori educational achievement forward and I applaud that positive atitude because we can't keep doing all the same things we have always done or we will keep getting what we have always gotten so we are moving on and we will be expecting to implement this initiaitve from day one of term one next year," Ms Parata says.
The ministry will be calling for expressions of interest from schools who want to be part of Investing in Educational Success.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH HEKIA PARATA CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MjE0NDU=
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