1. DIANNE YATES (Labour) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What reports has he received about the need for more competition in the education system?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
I have seen a report arguing that “there’s plenty of opportunities to have the private sector playing a bigger role in education.”, and that there should be “greater orientation towards privatisation in the education system”. However, I have also seen a report stating that “The New Zealand public education system is really good.”, and that “We rank sixth in the developed world for having a really good education system.” Those conflicting statements come from the same source, Mr John Key, and they leave one saying: “Tell the truth, Mr Key.”
Madam SPEAKERHon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I have seen a report that states that “students are coming out of our schools unprepared for life …”, and that “alarm bells should be ringing in the Beehive.” However, I have also seen a report that states: “We should not expect any drastic reforms from the National Party spokesperson, Katherine Rich.” Those statements are conflicting, and I ask Mrs Rich which one is the truth.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Can the Minister explain the educational advantage to New Zealand of the 37.75 percent decrease in value per student of grants to independent schools created by the capping of funding at $40 million per annum in the year 2000, which is a policy designed to reduce educational competition; and does he believe it is time to revisit the capped funding policy?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The value of that policy, of course, is to ensure the quality of education for the 96 percent of students who are going to public schools. That is where our investment is going, and I ask the member whether he would care to ask Mr Key whether, during his meeting with the Exclusive Brethren, he carried out the promise of saying he would switch money from the public sector to the private sector—as he said he would in Nicky Hager’s book.
John KeyDid the Minister of Education see page A2 of the New Zealand Herald of a few weeks ago,which had a very interesting story about Lyn Avery, the principal of Glen Taylor School—a decile 1 primary school in South Auckland that has 100 percent Māori or Pacific Island students—who, after 4 years of following the approach that National suggests under national standards, now has stunning results for her students; and on the back of that, will the Minister of Education do something about supporting National’s move towards national standards in education?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I have seen that report from Glen Taylor School, which after 8 years under a Labour Government is doing stunningly well. Right across the whole of the education system results that were going nowhere under National during the 1990s are now going fantastically well. I say to Mr Key that he can go to any school in the country that he likes, and after 8 years that school would have done better under this Government than under his. I ask Mr Key to tell the truth.
Judy TurnerHas the Minister given serious consideration to claims by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research that the Government could fund independent schools at a rate of up to 46 percent of the cost of providing a State education for a child and still save money; if so, does he plan to raise the cap on funding that the State provides to independent schools?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I have to say that this Government is not in the process of trying to save money in our public schools. It may be Mr Key’s policy to move money from the public to the private sector; it is not this Government’s policy to do so. We believe in investing in quality, public education.
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I have seen a report that lower-decile schools are “awash with cash”, and that the decile funding system for schools should change. The very next day I saw a report that stated: “We are not proposing changing to the funding.” Both of those reports came from Mr Bill English. I ask Mr English which one is the truth.
Will the Government be supporting National’s policy of national standards, which is delivering the stunning results at Glen Taylor School, or will the Government continue with its failed policies that see one in five New Zealand children leave school unable to read, write, or do maths anywhere near their chronological age?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The last time I looked the bill that the member refers to was still on the Order Paper, yet to be debated in Parliament. How the bill could be having an impact on Glen Taylor School is beyond me. The member is quoting results that arise from the fantastic policies around processes like asTTle in those very schools that are making a huge difference to those students. Under this Government Māori students in particular are finally seeing real progress. I thank the member for his backing, but I ask him to come clean on whether he intends to cut funding to public schools.
Tariana TuriaDoes the Minister believe that the high number of Māori boys who are failing in the secondary school system is an example of success?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
An example of success that we are seeing now is that the number of boys from a Māori background who are leaving school is rising in relation to the qualifications they have. We are seeing changes there because of programmes put in place by this Government—unlike Mr Key’s party. What we want to hear from Mr Key is whether he will cut funding to public schools, as he appears to have promised the Exclusive Brethren.