10. Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What are her priorities for the period between now and 30 June 2009?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
The overall priority of this Government is to raise achievement in the education system. That priority guides my actions at all times. In order to achieve that goal, I have a number of priorities in early childhood education and the schooling sector, and also in the tertiary sector in my role as Minister for Tertiary Education. I can give the member two examples from a long list of work on our priorities up until 30 June: I would include the current consultation with parents and the education sector on national standards, and the expressions of interest that we have called for in terms of trades academies.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
What priority is the Minister giving to literacy and, in particular, to the importance of spelling and proofreading?
I thought I had made it fairly clear in the previous answer, but I say that this Government is committed to the national standards, which include reading and writing, of which spelling is a part. We see those standards as the foundation for children’s learning, so we want to ensure that every young New Zealander gets the opportunity to learn to read, write, and do maths while they are at primary school.
Nikki KayeWhat indications has the Minister received of the education sector embracing the Government’s priorities for education?
I have received numerous indications, and I have outlined in the House today the overwhelming support for the national standards consultation process. I also tell the House that we have received over 100 expressions of interest for the trades academies. The Ministry of Education is currently reviewing the submissions so that we can decide which submissions should be taken further to a business proposal stage and then on to final approval and construction. We are delivering on one of our priorities—that is, to support at least five trades academies in the next 3 years.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
In light of the Minister’s comments on the importance of literacy and the importance of academies, how does she spell “academies”?
Hon Rodney HideI raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. With the greatest respect, I say that Parliament is not a spelling bee, and the Minister has no responsibility for the spelling of a particular word.
Mr SPEAKERHon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I have a document from the Minister that within an inch or so spells “academies”—
This is not a point of order. I invite the member to reflect on what he has just done. That point is nothing to do with order in this House and it is not helpful. Members have been grumpy about my rulings but it is not helpful when members raise that kind of point of order. OK, I could have ruled the question out—I am sure the Opposition would have been very grumpy had I done that. I thought the Minister could handle the question whatever way she chose. It was the kind of question that could get any kind of answer; I am not going to insist on any particular kind of answer. Members can see the dilemma for the Speaker because if I had ruled out the question the Opposition would not have been happy. I have not ruled it out, and I think the Minister is at liberty to answer it.
That is the sort of question that I would expect from the member. Why does the member not talk about why he opposes trades academies? Why does he think that young New Zealanders are better sitting in rows in classrooms instead of attending something like a trades academy, where secondary education can interface with both the workplace and tertiary education, and which gives people opportunities to live better, fulfilled lives? Why does the member continue to—
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Why does the Minister promote higher education standards and at the same time put out a document signed by her that is riddled with spelling errors?
If that member would like to send me the piece of paper that he purports has spelling mistakes on it, I will correct them for him.
Hon Gerry Brownlee Link to this
I wonder whether the Minister could confirm that it is highly likely that the people who actually wrote that document were educated some time during the 9 years of the Labour Government when there was absolutely no care for educational standards whatsoever.
I am happy to confirm that. I also confirm that the member asking the earlier questions was the Minister of Education at the time.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I seek leave to table the document signed by the Hon Anne Tolley, which has the quotes from the Minister of Education and is filled with spelling errors.