Parties spell out education policies

Four out of five political parties represented at a meet-the-candidates education session would ditch national standards and charter schools, an audience heard yesterday.

Following an elaborate powhiri and kapa haka performance by Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Wairarapa, National, Labour, Greens, NZ First and the Maori Party each got five minutes to speak about education to around 60 people - half of them teachers - at the Carterton Event Centre.

Maori Party Ikaroa-Rawhiti candidate Marama Fox, speaking first, said she heard someone from the kura kaupapa remark that 90 per cent of the audience would not have understood the speeches.

"That's a travesty and an injustice," she said.

"The Maori Party has put forward their Maori strategy, of compulsory learning of te reo."

She said in 1867, in the parliament of the time, there was debate about the education of the "natives" and it was resolved the language would be English, not Maori.

"That was a long time ago, but apart from one amendment, the Native Schools Act stayed in place until 1969.

"Maori children were told their language was not good enough.

"Generation after generation of Maori families who have suffered a great social injustice."

She said her party has put forward its Maori Language strategy and has signed off on a Maori history programme, to be made available to schools.

"Everyone in this country has the right, the moral obligation, to understand what it is to be Tangata Whenua."

Green Party candidate John Hart said he was the proud father of a two-year-old girl, but had concerns about her future entry into the education system.

"We need a strong, inclusive public education system as a way to ensure all children reach their potential."

His party's vision was having schools as "hubs" in the heart of their community, with children and families being connected via the hub.

"School hubs act as an anchor for resources that support families."

He outlined four concepts for decile one to four schools: dedicated school nurses, a national school lunch fund, free after school and holiday programmes, and dedicated "school co-ordinators" to develop the hub, including coordination of adult education.

The Greens do not support charter schools or national standards, he said.

The Green Party would also fund 100 per cent qualified teachers for Early Childhood Education. It sits at 80 per cent under National.

Labour candidate Kieran McAnulty said Labour's policies in the 1930s, under education minister Peter Fraser, rang true today.

"All persons, whatever their level, have the right as citizens to a free education, of the kind for which they are best fitted."

Labour is not a supporter of national standards, of getting children over "arbitrary hurdles", or charter schools.

He said every child is different, and subjects should be taught based on a broad and varied curriculum.

"The Labour Party's focus would be building trust and redefining success, he said.

"Every child achieves their full potential, every school is a great school, we value great teachers, we recognise and celebrate diversity.

"We reject the notion that competition makes better schools.

"Quality teaching has the greatest influence.

"You are more likely to learn under a collaborative environment, not a competitive one. The sink-or-swim mentality must change.

"We will work to replace national standards with something that is meaningful, broad, and will work."

Labour will reduce class sizes, provide reading recovery to all schools, and fund 2000 more teachers.

"We will redirect resources away from national standards, into teacher development programmes.

National candidate Alastair Scott said the candidates all wanted the same thing: children to be educated, and grow to the best of their ability.

He said the government's success with the economy translates downwards into all sectors.

"Without a well-managed economy, you don't have a health system, police force, education - the wish list has to be paid for."

Mr Scott said the economy was "humming" and NCEA was working.

"Parents want it, they like it.

"We have a high level of pass rates - 78.6 per cent with minimum of level 2 NCEA."

Youngsters were staying at school for longer, with a 24 per cent reduction in standdowns and expulsions since 2008.

National is planning to spend $359 million on supporting teachers and sharing top teachers among other schools.

The government has doubled investment in Early Childhood Education since 2007, he said.

NZ First deputy leader and education spokeswoman Tracy Martin said education should be funded and supported by government "all the way through", noting the government cut funding to adult education in 2009.

"For the National Party to suggest it believes in education when it stopped adult learning, in a flexible job market, is disingenuous."

She said she supported an education system of equity.

"The New Zealand Curriculum promotes good citizenship."

NZ First would abolish national standards, she said, and strongly opposes charter schools.