Tana enters blackboard jungle

All Black captain Tana Umaga receives a neck massage from Wakawhenua Kawe-Roes, 10, at Lyall Bay School yesterday. Picture / Mark Mitchell

All Black captain Tana Umaga is caught in a political scrum after joining a campaign to get parents more involved in their children's education.

The All Black captain and father of three spent yesterday at Lyall Bay School in Wellington after being named an education ambassador for a new information programme. The Government is investing $15.9 million in the campaign over five years.

But National's education spokesman, Bill English, lashed out at the appointment in Parliament yesterday, saying it was a "jumped-up spin exercise".

Mr English asked why the Government was willing to take millions of dollars in fees from parents for state-funded education and "only give them a rugby star instead of what they really want, which is some choice about where to send their children to school".

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said Umaga was being paid for his role, but at a reduced rate.

"What this [Tana's contract value] is is the equivalent of funding for three teachers, but it's an investment that is focusing on parents."

Umaga said: "I feel that the role of parents in their children's education is very important and that's why I'm endorsing the programme."

Mr Mallard said research showed parents who were involved in their children's learning made a positive difference in their achievement.

"The programme will not only help parents get the information they need to help their kids, it will also help them understand the education system so they have the confidence to talk to teachers and ask the right questions," he said.

In the past the Government had focused on investing in support for teachers, but now wanted to turn its attention to getting parents more involved.

Mr Mallard said the programme would target three main areas: giving parents high and accurate expectations of their child's ability to achieve; helping parents to understand the positive contribution they could make to their child's education; and helping parents to understand how the education system worked.

The scheme will be launched this year once the Ministry of Education has developed a detailed strategy and carried out focus group research.

It will involve television, radio and print media campaigns and publicity involving Umaga.

The programme will run alongside edCentre, a new website for parents and other people who want to know more about education, from early childhood to tertiary level.

Mr Mallard said if children had parents who were confident about getting involved and who backed them and encouraged them to do their best, then the youngsters were more likely to succeed.