The NZCTU strongly opposes the Education and Training Amendment Bill, which will enable charter schools to be established in New Zealand. The evidence base does not support the establishment of charter schools, and the machinery of the Bill in its current form undermines workers’ rights and puts educational quality and community control of schools at risk.
A coherent, evidence-based, government policy is needed to improve the educational outcomes of those children who are not succeeding in New Zealand’s education system. The establishment of charter schools is not the right approach.
The NZCTU recommends that the Bill should be withdrawn by the government. Should the Bill proceed, significant redrafting is required. This submission sets out the NZCTU’s concerns about the charter school policy, and the amendments necessary to the Bill if it is not withdrawn.