Heads face flak for 'political' stance

By Theresa Garner

Bulk-funded schools opposed to a Labour government are being accused of overstepping their role and trying to influence the way parents vote.

Bulk-funding is emerging as a key election issue, and at least one school has used its newsletter to urge parents to vote for National.

Westlake Boys High School principal Jim Dale wrote in his newsletter that bulk-funding, which Labour plans to abolish, "is creating real benefits and advantages for our school - I ask you to use your vote wisely and appropriately."

Yesterday he said it was his responsibility to communicate with the community.

"I'm sure parents are far too wise and sophisticated to be influenced by me. What I'm doing is putting the facts in front of them."

Another bulk-funded school, Takapuna Grammar, has told parents it is already planning staff cuts in anticipation of a Labour win.

The secondary principals' association president, Allan Peachey, of Rangitoto College, said schools were meant to be apolitical, and they should proceed with "the utmost caution." He would not have phrased a newsletter in the way Mr Dale did.

"All principals should confine themselves to making general statements about likely impacts on schools ... I think that's as far as we're entitled to go.

"You've got to respect the integrity of the electorate to make its own decisions."

But, he said, schools were in a difficult position. "We all see the great value of bulk-funding, and what it has meant for improving quality of education. Nobody wants to see a backtrack from that."

Bulk-funding has long been opposed by the secondary teachers union, which fears the funding level will be eroded over time, and that schools will employ lower-paid, inexperienced teachers so they can spend money in other areas.

Labour's education spokesman, Trevor Mallard, said he was concerned by what he called the "misleading" newsletters.

"It is obvious from the selective aspects of Labour's policy that the principals have highlighted, that they are trying to get parents to vote for National.

"Money available for schools should be given to schools on a fair formula. The vast majority will be significantly better off, despite what a small group of ill-informed principals claim."

The secondary teachers union president, Graeme Macann, said it was unethical for principals to use their official positions in such a way.

"All the political parties will have something that appeals, and it's highly inappropriate to tell a parent audience which way to vote on one single issue."