Devil Lurks in the Educational Detail – NZ First

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Wed May 16 2012 12:00:00 GMT+1200 (New Zealand Standard Time)

Devil Lurks in the Educational Detail – NZ First

Wednesday, 16 May 2012, 12:13 pm
Press Release: New Zealand First Party

Tracey Martin MP
Spokesperson for Education
16 May 2012

New Zealand First says changes to education policy must take into account students in disadvantaged areas, and those in rural isolation that cannot access many of the support services available to their urban counterparts.

This follows today’s pre-Budget announcement that will see the Government introduce bigger class sizes and performance pay for teachers.

New Zealand First Education spokesperson Tracey Martin says investment in teacher performance is important in providing better education but awarding performance pay must be done with caution.

“There is a danger that this will create an environment where the best teachers are reluctant to teach at poorly performing schools because it would limit their earning ability.

“If the model for performance pay is based on business concepts of winners and losers then the sharing of ideas and initiatives will be seriously impacted.”

Mrs Martin says it’s essential that all our students are taught by well-trained teachers in classrooms which have a lower student-teacher ratio.

“In all my interactions with parents not one of them has suggested that class size is not relevant to their child’s learning. Teachers may have to learn crowd-control.”

Mrs Martin says that she will await with interest the detail of how the Government will define good teacher performance.

“The devil will be in the detail. Will it be solely on academic results?

“Or will it incorporate other important aspects such as teachers who give up their free time to coach sports teams, look after school orchestras, or direct school plays?” says Mrs Martin.

ENDS

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