11,000 Canterbury teachers sign against Govt plans

Labour Party MP for Wigram, Megan Woods. Photo / File / Martin Hunter

The New Zealand Education Institution has delivered a petition signed by more than 11,000 Canterbury teachers calling for the Government's plans for the future of education in Christchurch to be stopped.

Labour Party MP for Wigram, Megan Woods, tabled the petition in Parliament today calling on Prime Minister John Key to stop the plan to close, merge and relocate Christchurch schools.

Ms Woods said Education Minister Hekia Parata's plan for the future of Canterbury schools had been bungled from the beginning, and the anger teachers were directing at the Government was justified.

The petition urges the Government to listen to students and educators in the region about what is best for learning.

"The message from teachers is loud and clear; the Government has stuffed-up and if it wants to fix things, it needs to start by listening," said Ms Woods.

She said the plan had been imposed on teachers in Christchurch, and proper input had not been sought. "The Government is forcing Christchurch schools down a path that not only harms the fantastic education system we have in the city, but ignores a raft of positive ideas put forward as worthy alternatives.

"This petition should be a wake-up call for John Key and his Ministers. They need to swallow their pride and start working with teachers, principals and parents to find a positive way forward," Ms Woods said.