Most parents happy with system

Argument continues to rage between educationists and market economists about the running of schools, but in a sample of ordinary people the overwhelming majority say they are content.

The Herald-DigiPoll survey of more than 400 parents found 85 per cent of those with children at school now are satisfied with their schooling.

Those whose children have left school recorded even higher satisfaction, 88.5 per cent.

The system of placing each school under an elected board of trustees also appears to be producing the desired degree of consultation. Asked, "Do you feel you have a genuine say in how your school is run," 65 per cent of the parents answered yes. The same answer was given by slightly fewer (63 per cent) of those whose children had left.

In each case, about a third of parents did not feel they had enough say.

A larger number of Maori parents (37.5 per cent) than Europeans (30 per cent) felt they had not been given genuine influence.

The poll, taken in the first week of last month, sampled 700 people in total. Fewer than 1 in 10 had served on a board of trustees since the advent of Tomorrow's Schools 10 years ago.

When the results were broken down by income bracket the figures suggest boards of trustees have been comprised mainly of middle-level earners.

Within the $19,000-$28,000 bracket, 11.4 per cent had served on a board and within the $28,000-$44,000 bracket, 12.4 per cent had done so. The figures dropped below 10 per cent for incomes above $44,000, and below 5 per cent for incomes lower than $19,000.

Although those on higher incomes recorded a comparatively low level of service, more of them said they would go on a board.

The poll carried a 3.7 per cent margin of error, or 4.8 per cent of the parent sample.