4. HEATHER ROY (Deputy Leader—ACT) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
Does he stand by the statement made by the Minister of Education in June 2005 that “Under current legislation every child is entitled to attend his or her local school.”; if not, why not?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY (Minister of Education) Link to this
Yes, I do stand by my predecessor’s comment. The legislation is designed to ensure that all students can attend what is known as a “reasonably convenient school”.
Why, then, is the Minister kicking out a quarter of the bay people from their local school, Island Bay School, and could he tell the House which suburb those living in Severn Street and Moselle Street actually live in if it is not Island Bay?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I am advised by the ministry that the decisions on that have not yet been made. I am further advised that the ministry’s proposals enable the few addresses of such parents to be part of the enrolment zone as a transition until the younger siblings of current pupils have been through the school. When the legislation was debated in the House, the House decided that siblings of current pupils should not have preference over others, but this is a caring Government that does not like splitting up families, so we will work with local communities and schools to find solutions that ensure we are not splitting up siblings where that can be avoided.
Hon Marian HobbsHon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
That sticks in my mind well. It was when National was in Government in late 1998, when schools were in danger of being overcrowded and there was space at other “reasonably convenient schools”, as the saying goes. The previous National Government realised that open slather in the provision of extra buildings to accommodate roll growth at some schools, while there was spare capacity at others, was an inefficient and a wasteful use of taxpayers’ money and it could not be afforded. Of course, both sides of the House have continued with that practice.
Hon Brian Donnelly Link to this
Will the Minister confirm that when geographical school zoning was reintroduced in November 1998 by the National Government of the time, with the support of ACT, that the only person who registered any concern with regard to that legislation at the time was Labour’s education spokesperson, Trevor Mallard?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
I can recall that it was National, supported by ACT, that introduced that legislation at that time. I do recall that in an appropriate way Mr Mallard did raise the usual debate about this kind of issue, to make sure it was aired as it should be.
Does he not agree that the Minister of Education should be a paragon of clear English, so that “free” means “free”, and “local school” means “local school”?
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
The term I used before is quite an important one and is, of course, set down in case law. The term “reasonably convenient” is one that ensures people can go to their local school. Those words were agreed to by Bill English during his time in this particular role. It is, I think, a very useful term, because it recognises that there is a network of schools, and that we should make use of those schools. In the case of Island Bay, it is worth knowing that this school has had two classrooms, and subsequently three classrooms, placed on its land to assist it. I think that the steps being taken now are to try to sensibly work out what to do, given that there are reasonably convenient schools nearby and they are all good schools.
I raise a point of order, Madam Speaker. The Minister was being very misleading in that last answer. The primary question asked whether he stood by the statement made in 2005 about a local school. He has conveniently changed his wording now to say “reasonably convenient” school. Which one is it?
Madam SPEAKERNo, that is not a point of order. The Minister did actually address that in his answer. But the Minister may speak to the point of order.
Hon STEVE MAHAREY Link to this
It sometimes helps if people listen. I will read out the answer again. It is: “Yes … The legislation is designed to ensure that all students can attend what is known as”—I repeat—“a ‘reasonably convenient school.’ ”
Rt Hon Winston Peters Link to this
I seek leave to table the 1998 legislation put up by Wyatt Creech and supported by the ACT party, which first used the term “reasonably convenient”; and is there a word for that that starts with “h”?