Speak Up for Education rally on Monday before election

Speak Up for Education rally on Monday before election

Hundreds of teachers and students will converge on Wellington's Cuba Mall on the Monday before the election to tell politicians it is time to speak up for education.

- Cuba Mall - 21 November - 5pm - 5.45pm

TEU's singing National President Dr Sandra Grey and her band Tolley and the Folly-Dollies will lead a line-up that includes:

- Louise Green, principal of Khandallah School (tambourines). A National Standards system forced into schools is bad for children's learning. - Kevin Bunker, PPTA general secretary (doo-wop vocals). Investing in smaller class sizes in public education is critical to learning. - Robyn Hambleton, Wellington High School adult community education deputy director (saxaphone). The government cut community and adult education in schools by 80 percent in 2009. - National student president David Do (ukelele). Despite growing student numbers tertiary education has had its funding cut each budget under this government and more cuts are forecast. - Actor and theatre producer Julia Truscott will MC the event.

"We'll be loud and we'll be singing. We'll be telling politicians of all persuasions and predilections that it is time to speak up for education," says Dr Grey.

"Education is not a cost or a burden - it is the best investment we can make in our people, young and old."