7. Hon CHRIS CARTER (Independent—Te Atatū) Link to this
to the Minister of Education
Does she stand by her assurance to the House on 9 November 2010 that it was never her intention to dismiss boards of trustees of primary and intermediate schools who refuse to implement her national standards policy?
Hon TONY RYALL (Minister of Health) Link to this
Yes. A formal process is in place to ensure that schools have the support they need to implement national standards, and that is before any consideration is given to possible further steps.
If it was never her intention to dismiss non-complying boards, as she told my very good friend and former colleague the Hon Trevor Mallard on Tuesday—
Mr SPEAKERSometimes the Speaker has to admit that the Speaker has lost it, and I have sure lost that one. I think members have had their fun. Please, treat the questioner with respect.
Thank you, Mr Speaker. It reminds me of when I was a teacher during the last period on Fridays. If it was never her intention to dismiss non-complying boards, as she told my good friend and former colleague the Hon Trevor Mallard on Tuesday, why did she respond to a reporter’s question in February of this year by saying that dismissing boards who do not comply was an option?
The Minister’s comments in February reflected what the law actually provided for, and that law, of course, was passed under a former Labour Government. As the Minister has made clear, there is an escalation process, which has a number of decision points and opportunities for assisting boards of trustees to implement national standards. This process would contrast with the Labour Party escalation process when it has a problem, which is basically to go from hero to zero.
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Perhaps you could help me. It seems to me that the answer—[ Interruption]
I apologise to the member. I say to National Party members, on this occasion, that it is a point of order. Although they may not be impressed, they should treat the House with respect.
It seems to me that my primary question was quite simple. I asked whether dismissal of non-complying boards was an option. I was told initially that it was not. I have quite good eyesight and the chart the—
The member cannot litigate an answer by way of a point of order. The Minister gave a perfectly clear answer to the question, and the member cannot litigate it by way of point of order.
Does she agree with Liz Horgan, principal of St Joseph’s School Ōtāhuhu, who wrote last week that the actions of more than 200 boards of trustees last week in opposition to the national standards policy demonstrated a growing number of boards who recognise that using guesswork and hopelessly crude methodologies are not a desirable way to run schools or assess pupils; or, indeed, with Professor John Hattie, who said earlier this year that the Minister’s national standards were a hopelessly crude way of raising student achievement? Does she agree with those statements; if not, why not?
No, the Minister does not agree with those statements. I am very disappointed that some boards have taken the action that the member refers to. I note that the New Zealand Herald today reports that up to one-third of those schools are actually getting on with implementing national standards. It is disappointing that these schools are participating in a union-driven agenda affecting children’s education.
I seek leave to table a copy of the press conference where Mrs Tolley said that dismissal was an option.
I seek leave to table a letter from Liz Horgan, Principal of St Joseph’s School, Ōtāhuhu, outlining her concerns about national standards.