8. KATHERINE RICH (National) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
Does he stand by the Government’s promise that new entrant classes will be reduced “to ensure that by 2008 there are no more than 15 students in a class.”; if so, will this promise be achieved in all schools?
Hon CHRIS CARTER (Minister of Education) Link to this
Yes; by the end of 2008 we will resource all schools with a staffing ratio of 1:15 for year 1 students.
Can he confirm that close to 400 primary schools that have rolls of 176 children or fewer will not have access to the policy of one teacher to 15 students in junior classes because those schools are staffed on a different ratio, referred to as the maximum average class size, so he cannot guarantee that class sizes will be reduced to ensure all new entrants are in a class of 15 students, no matter how often he refers to himself as “a very good salesman” for education?
The member seems to be confused about how the maximum average class size policy works. In fact, she is correct that the 1:15 ratio will not apply to some 350 small schools in New Zealand, because they already have a ratio that is often better than 1:15. They already have those numbers.
Sue MoroneyBulk funding—a failed policy supported by National’s associate education spokesperson Allan Peachey—would encourage schools to employ cheaper, less experienced teachers. By contrast, the Labour-led Government is getting on with the job of putting more teachers into classrooms. Indeed, since 2000 we have put almost 5,000 extra teachers into classrooms, over and above those required by roll growth. Total investment in education has risen from $5.7 billion in 1999 to $9.6 billion today, demonstrating this Government’s commitment to providing the best possible education for New Zealand’s children.
Was it a good idea for him to say that he got the education job because “I think a lot of my colleagues think I’m a very good salesman.”; and can he tell the House whether part of being a salesman is pretending that he can deliver the 1:15 ratio in junior classes in 2008, when nearly 35 percent of our primary schools will not be eligible for that ratio, when he faces a shortage of over 500 teachers, and when even his own officials have confirmed it will not happen until 2009?
To be a good salesman one has to have a good product to sell, and we have a fantastic product. Over 5,000 extra teachers are in classrooms, education funding has gone up by $4 billion, we have introduced 20 hours of free early childhood education, we have laptops for every teacher, we have given broadband and free software licences to every school, we have reduced the number of students leaving school with no qualifications, we have introduced the Modern Apprenticeships scheme, we have dramatically increased the funding for industry training, we have significantly boosted participation in tertiary education, and so it goes on. What a fantastic product that is to sell!
Does he accept that when his Government stated that class sizes would be reduced to ensure that in 2008 there would be no more than 15 students in a class, parents took that statement to mean exactly what it said; and can he tell the House what he will say to parents next year when they find that their new entrant children are in classes of 20 to 25 students?
The member seems to be confused about how the student ratio system works. I can easily arrange a briefing with officials for her, but ratios have always been introduced on the basis that schools themselves determine how best to use them. I am going into next year confidently, saying that this Government will deliver on its 1:15 ratio for first-year students.
Can he confirm that his officials have advised that in order to meet the shortage of teachers next year, “some schools might have to compromise on their quality criteria to employ extra teachers”; and what does he think principals, parents, and other teachers will think about that?