5. ALLAN PEACHEY (National—Tāmaki) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
What reports has she received on consultation with parents about national standards?
Hon ANNE TOLLEY (Minister of Education) Link to this
On Sunday I released a report that included the results of consultation with parents and family members on national standards; 2,000 attended meetings and over 3,000 provided written submissions. From next year schools will be required to report in plain language to parents on their child’s progress. Parents have overwhelmingly told the Government that they want to know more about their child’s progress so that they can support their child’s learning, and this Government will deliver on that.
Parents strongly support national standards and getting good information from schools about their child’s progress. As one parent said in the consultation round, schools need to provide “Honesty, plain language, and no surprises.” As another parent said, “Honest reporting; tell me how he is really doing. I want reality—the good, the bad, and the ugly.” That is exactly what national standards in literacy and numeracy will provide for New Zealand parents.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Can the Minister explain to the House the effect of her decision to cut by 100 percent next year science advice to schools on national standards for science going forward?
People in the education sector told me quite clearly during the election campaign that they were sick of the Labour Government, which had given them a whole number of initiatives without sufficient resources, so we have reduced the number of initiatives and focused the resources on those remaining. National standards in literacy and numeracy are the top priority. They can be taught right across the curriculum—in science, geography, history, or whatever. We are focusing our resources on supporting schools to implement national standards in literacy and numeracy.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. I know that somewhere towards the end of that answer the Minister mentioned science, but it was a pretty direct question on the effect on science standards of the 100 percent cut in science advice to schools. That question was not addressed.
Mr SPEAKER