Lollies, chips at school? Not under the Greens

Catherine Delahunty, Green Party Education spokeswoman. Photo / NZ Herald

The Green Party wants to scrap the controversial National Standards, restrict class sizes to 20 and ban the sale of sweet drinks, lollies and chips at school.

The party also wants to increase operational funding to the sector by 10 per cent and launch a commission of enquiry into the education system to assess how well it's doing.

Unsuprisingly it's an education policy that's been warmly received by sector union NZEI which described it yesterday as a "welcome endorsement of quality public education".

"The Greens' policy reflects a sound understanding of what makes a quality public education system and what puts it at risk," said NZEI President Ian Leckie.

"It clearly recognises the dangers of the flawed National Standards for schools, students and communities and has listened to the ongoing opposition. Any promise to remove National Standards will be welcomed by schools which are struggling to implement them or are being forced to comply".

Mr Leckie added that support for more resourcing of schools through higher operational funding would be "music to the ears of school support staff".

"They are funded through school operational funding which offers them little job security as schools juggle their funding around tight operational budgets."

Green Party Education Spokesperson Catherine Delahunty said National Standards had been flawed, rushed, and forced on schools in an unacceptable way. They were also never necessary because schools already had robust assessment and reporting mechanisms.

"We will remove National Standards, and remove any requirement for schools to report against them."

"It is high quality teaching, not restrictive measurement, that will improve educational achievement in our schools."

Ms Delahunty said the Green Party's updated Education Policy also included a commitment to restore the goal of 100 per cent qualified staff in teacher-led Early Childhood Education (ECE) centres.

"All the research shows how vital ECE is for children's long-term educational outcomes.

"At the same time, we value Playcentre, Kohanga Reo, and other models of ECE, and reject the market funding mechanism proposed for them by the Government."

The Greens are also committing to resist moves to use Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the school sector.

Other policy points include ensure students have the right to not wear a uniform with being penalised, enforcing the law that prohibits schools from demanding fees, retaining and supporting local and rural schools and ensuring there is better and safer transport to rural schools.