Principals’ Federation calls on MoE to ‘codesign’ policy with education sector

Leanne Otene, President of the Principals’ Federation, has called on the Ministry of Education (MoE) to change its approach to working with the sector in 2025.

“We would like to see, going forward, that we go from a consultative approach to more of a co-design approach that we work together on and support each other with the initiatives that are put in place,” said Otene. 

“My job as the advocate for principals across the country is to support our minister in understanding just how important it is to work with the sector, with the sector leaders, and not just a group of principals or, you know, those principals that align with your particular party.” 

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This year brings a lot of changes to education, including the new Stepped Attendance Response plan (STAR), structured literacy and structured maths programmes. The pace of change has been criticised by some in the education sector, who point to the already overworked and understaffed teaching workforce.  

Otene said that some schools are struggling to implement both curriculum changes simultaneously. 

“We are all self-managing schools and so our message to our members is that if you are still working on your structured literacy, continue on with that,” Otene said. 

“You need to embed that first and then take on the maths curriculum when your staff and your community are ready to take on that extra professional development.” 

The PLD for the new structured maths approach is due to begin in January.  

Meanwhile, although Otene has said the sector is “grateful” for the new resources, including workbooks, they weren’t the answer to improving maths achievement. Ensuring teachers were prepared and able to deliver the curriculum should be the priority, said Otene. 

Otene said that she would like to see structured literacy and structured maths specialists employed at schools.  

“So that we can drive that professional support from within our schools and not depend on contractors or outside providers to deliver that,” she said. 

No time to waste  

Meanwhile, Minister for Education Erica Stanford has said the pace of change is quick because there is no time to waste.  

“Every single year, 60,000 new kids start school, and we have to start them off on the right track – structured literacy, structured mathematics, mastering topics – before they move on,” said Stanford.  

“The key thing we can give those kids is an excellent education to break that cycle, that will change their lives. 

“That’s why I’m working at this frenetic pace.”