The president of union NZEI Te Riu Roa has warned that curriculum instability risks becoming the norm in a submission to Parliament’s Education and Workforce Select Committee.
Ripeka Lessels has cautioned the government that passing the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill puts the independence of the education sector at risk.
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“This bill allows any sitting minister to unilaterally rewrite the curriculum without the check and balance of independent professional oversight,” Ms Lessels said.
“The proposed changes to the Teaching Council, particularly the loss of professional autonomy and teacher representation, raise serious concerns about its future independence.”
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NZEI Te Riu Roa National Secretary Stephanie Mills said the potential erosion of efforts towards educational equity was also of particular concern.
“By prioritising bureaucratic oversight over equitable outcomes for our tamariki, the bill risks undermining initiatives designed to close achievement gaps for Māori, Pasifika, and students with additional learning needs.”
“We are calling on the Government to listen to educators and withdraw this bill, which threatens to deprofessionalise teaching and undermine public education,” Primary teacher and NZEI Te Riu Roa national member leader Barbara Curran said.
“The Minister of Education claims this Bill aims to strengthen New Zealand’s education, but it will do the exact opposite.”
The bill grants the Minister of Education sweeping powers to change the curriculum and shifts decision-making from schools and communities to central government.
It facilitates the growth of privately operated charter schools, enables faster government intervention in schools deemed to be “of serious concern,” mandates stricter rules on attendance, and increases government appointees to the Teaching Council while reducing the number of elected teacher representatives.
