Labour unscathed in teachers' row fallout

By DITA DE BONI

The issue of secondary teachers refusing to settle their collective contract seems to have had little impact on Labour in the opinion polls - despite the importance voters say they place on education.

The swing to the Greens and New Zealand First cannot be attributed to feelings against Education Minister Trevor Mallard, as neither party has been vocal on the teachers' strike or education in general.

Mr Mallard's parliamentary foes have had to be prodded, in most cases, to come up with their own solution to the stoush.

The cornerstone of National and Act education policy is a return to bulk funding and performance pay in the compulsory sector, and an end to pay parity. This will not entice many educators but may snare those disillusioned with the central bargaining system now causing havoc.

Labour continues to play to its strengths, focusing on numeracy initiatives, support for gifted students and a pledge to "keep student debt down".

The NCEA exam system is one issue that has been seized on with gusto.

National cannot say they would scrap it as they introduced it in the 1990s. Act says it should go and the Alliance, Progressive Coalition and New Zealand First have said give it a chance.

National promises hefty A and B bursary payments and the Greens plan to write off one year's student debt for every year a graduate works in New Zealand.

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