10. ANNE TOLLEY (National—East Coast) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
When does he expect that the Education Amendment Bill (No 3) will be passed?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA (Acting Minister of Education) Link to this
It is the Government’s intention that the Education Amendment Bill (No 3) will go through a normal parliamentary process, including full consideration by a select committee. The Government would like to see the bill enacted in 2009.
Why has the Minister brought important legislation to the House just 2 weeks before it is about to dissolve that is intended to make sure that our schoolchildren are taught by registered teachers by allowing information matching between the Teachers Council and the Ministry of Education; and is he not embarrassed that this legislation was promised well over a year ago, and now cannot be delivered?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
The Education Amendment Bill (No 3) moves to improve safety and accountability. It is something that this Government takes very, very seriously, it has taken a period of time over it, and it has the support of communities outside of this building.
Sue MoroneyHon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
The bill contains a number of provisions to improve school administration, student safety, and achievement, including simplifying board of trustee processes, abolishing early school leaving exemptions for 15-year-olds, and reducing the compliance costs of the police vetting requirements imposed by the Education Standards Act.
Why is Labour completely abolishing early school leaving exemptions, saying that all students should be locked into schooling, when it is clear that for some students alternative non-school options are better, both for the individuals concerned and for the students and teachers they share classrooms with; and what response does he have to the principals and teacher associations, which are appalled at becoming political pawns in a desperate campaign by the Minister of Education to look as though he is finally doing something?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
The bill has two broad areas of policy focus: to improve accountability for student attendance and engagement in the compulsory sector; and to enhance student safety in both the early childhood and compulsory sectors. The issues relevant to Schools Plus are an addition to, and an improvement on, all of those great things that this Labour-led Government has done to make sure that our people get an education at all stages of their lives.
Why have he and his predecessor presided over a 41 percent increase in truancy rates, talked about getting tough, and openly mused about increasing the fines for truancy over the last 2 years, yet the Education Amendment Bill (No 3) that he has brought to the House as a last gasp says absolutely nothing about increasing truancy fines?
Hon PAREKURA HOROMIA Link to this
Truancy has been around for a long time. This Government has been committed to ensuring that the social service support is there. The progress, the attainment, and the achievement of those students is nearly 10 times better than it was when National was in Government.