Educators slam charter schools

Educators have banded together against the charter school bill, with prominent unions NZEI Te Riu Roa, PPTA Te Wehengarua, and the Aotearoa Educators’ Collective voicing their opposition to the scheme.

It comes as the bill underwent its first reading in Parliament last week, with $153 million announced for the scheme earlier this year. This money would enable 35 converted state schools and 15 new schools to be set up as charter schools.  

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Lynda Stuart, Principal of May Road School said that charter schools were a failed experiment.  

“At a time when principals, teachers and whānau are crying out for more specialist learning support for mokopuna, for more teacher aides in classrooms, the National-led government are putting $153m into an experiment, an experiment that failed last time it was in government.  

“This is not prioritising children’s education; this is not visionary education policy that will meet the needs of these learners. 

“Our education system is already very diverse; we already have the ability to become special character schools so why waste money on charter schools when evidence overseas and here says they don’t shift the dial for children.” 

President of PPTA Te Wehengarua, Chris Abercrombie, agreed.  

“There is nothing charter schools claim to do that can’t be done in a local state school, given the resources and political commitment. The only thing charter schools have been proven to do is to open the door to the privatisation of our education system by enabling businesses to come in and run schools for a profit.  

“New Zealanders want their local schools to be community assets, run by local representatives… The $153 million being poured into the charter school experiment could – and should – be put to far better use in our local state schools.”  

Aotearoa Educators’ Collective (AEC) also agreed, stating in a press release that the “AEC challenges all political parties to vote against the Education and Training Amendment Act legislation… The legislation not only allows for charter schools, but also for parent voice to be taken away from schools needing support by forcing them to become charter schools.” 

The bill, now publicly available for the first time, would allow the Education Minister to direct underperforming state schools (excluding state-integrated, distance, kura kaupapa Māori, speclist and charter schools) to convert to the model.  

It also creates a new entity called the Charter School Authorisation Board, approving new charter schools and applying interventions against those that are not meeting their obligations. Members would be appointed by the Education Minister.  

Educators are also criticising the legislation for a lack of transparency for parents and communities, and creating uncertainty for educators. 

Abercrombie said the bill “legislat[es] completely over teachers’ rights under employment law and their own employment agreement,” as the bill states teachers and principals of a school being converted to the charter model would be forced to transfer to the new charter school or else resign.  

“Effectively the Government is seeking to strong-arm teachers into charter schools,” noted Abercrombie. 

AEC added that charter schools are not required to be transparent about how much of the public funding is going toward student learning, rather than business operation.  

However, despite strong opposition Seymour insists charter schools will make a difference for students struggling under the “existing ‘one-size-fits-all’ school system… charter schools are publically funded and provide students and families with more schooling choice.”  

He maintained there was “overwhelming interest” from educators. The first charter schools are expected to open from Term One next year.