Election candidates respond to issues in education.
Election candidates respond to issues in education.
We asked local candidates for the general election what changes they would make to the New Zealand education system.
Wendy Biddle
Wendy Biddle, Rotorua candidate, Maori Party
This is about our babies and their right to a quality education. Education costs are high and so is our standard of living. Families are not able to afford school fees and resources. It is our job to correct this. The Maori Party will provide free early childhood, primary and secondary education. For tertiary students we'll ensure they have an accommodation allowance, a universal student allowance and we'll write off the living-cost component of all student loans. Quality education should be affordable for everyone. The Maori Party will ensure that it is.
I would like to see a truly free education system, with no school "donations" required, from early childhood until Year 13; the school breakfast programmes extended so no child starts the day on an empty stomach. Education should be seen an investment in the future not as a budget issue. Education has suffered from hack and slash tactics over the last nine years. It's time to put it right.
Richard Gillies
Richard Gillies, Rotorua candidate, Green Party
The Green Party on Thursday announced a plan to ensure every Kiwi kid can have a world-class education at their local school or early childhood education centre. The Green Party will make learning te reo Maori available to all public school students up to Year 10, increase education funding by $315 million over three years, ensure every child can attend their local school, including those needing learning support and fund more learning support, so teachers can focus on teaching.
Rotorua teachers are doing a great job. We're seeing record numbers of students passing NCEA level 2, they're finding jobs more easily or going on to higher education. We're growing so we're getting two new schools starting next year. National will continue to deliver better outcomes for students, more choice for parents and professional development for our teachers. We've announced $379m to provide students with the skills and language needed for a modern workforce. This year we'll invest a record $11.6 billion in education.
Ben Sandford
Ben Sandford, Rotorua candidate, Labour Party
Labour will invest an extra $6 billion to create a Kiwi kid-focused education system - one that doesn't financially strain their future or their parents. By offering free tertiary study in 2018 and significantly raising funding for schools that stop asking parents for "voluntary donations", a free education will soon mean what it used to. We will also raise student allowances, restore funding to adult night classes, teach teens how to drive and budget, and place mental health services into their schools. By abolishing national standards and supporting teacher professional development, we will create opportunity for every New Zealander.
Fletcher Tabuteau
Fletcher Tabuteau, Rotorua-based MP, New Zealand First
We have a strong policy to shut down charter schools. We don't believe introducing profit motives into the system will lead to better outcomes. Instead we want to allow educators to be more flexible with student needs, which includes allowing more special character schools to be set up. There is too much inflexibility, set by Government, which we want to change.
Te Ururoa Flavell
Te Ururoa Flavell, Waiariki candidate, Maori Party
I believe in giving whanau the power to shape their lives. We should not be afraid to do things differently and improve outcomes for Maori. That is why I will prioritise free early childhood education, lift in funding and participation in kohanga reo, reduction of class sizes at primary schools, teach te reo, Maori culture and history in all schools up to Year 8, youth mental health counsellors for all high schools, extend Passport to Life programme to schools, universal student allowances adjusted for the cost of living, reinstate student allowance for post-graduate students and free public transport.
- Labour Waiariki candidate Tamati Coffey did not respond before deadline. Attempts to contact Conservative candidate Owen Patterson were unsuccessful.
