Prime Minister John Key says Education Minister Hekia Parata will be safe in an upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, despite her troubles last year, because she is hugely talented and one of National's best communicators.

Editorial: The charter schools proposal has not been so contentious that the Government would fear its exposure to criticism. Since the critics are mostly busy teachers the legislative calendar might have done them a favour,

Several months ago, Education Minister Hekia Parata called a meeting in her office to discuss the vexed issue of Christchurch school restructuring. Post Primary Teachers' Association president Robin Duff was among those invited to the evening meeting.

The Government has spent more than $1 million on consultants as part of the switch over to Novopay, but ignored the results, Labour says.

2013 will see an escalation of an ideological war over the heart and soul of schooling in this country, writes Peter O'Connor.

Retail banks across New Zealand have stepped in to help school staff financially affected by the Novopay debacle.

A Maori unit within the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment will be set up to drive a government plan to lift Maori economic performance.

The charter schools advisory group wants those who have no teaching qualifications to be given official registration - a call at odds with Govt policy.

A Northland headmaster has written to John Key about his concerns over banning drug sniffer dogs from schools, saying it is "short-sighted nonsense".