Hekia Parata has audacity to use anti-apartheid protests while defending charter schools

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The audacity of Hekia Parata knows no ends.

Yesterday she tried using the anti-apartheid protests as an example while arguing for Charter Schools…

She told the Post Primary Teachers’ Association’s conference in Wellington today that Northland teachers had treated a local charter school teacher unfairly.

She said the publicly funded private schools were part of efforts to address under-achievement.

“I rely on your professionalism and capability to help with the kaupapa, not boycott it. This is New Zealand – many of us took to the streets in 1981 to oppose discrimination in another country.”

…let’s be clear what Charter Schools are. They are a right wing experiment under the guise of helping the worse off that has one goal and one goal only – lower the costs of teachers.

The National Government are eyeing up Education budgets, in particular the wage bill for teachers and have proposed Charter Schools as a way of hiring unregistered teachers to lower the labour costs. They have nothing to do with ‘under achievement’ they are publicly funded with none of the public scrutiny and they are there solely for the prettiness of performance so National can roll them out across the country.

That Parata is trying to use the righteousness of the anti-apartheid protests to defend her sick little cost cutting right wing experiment is about as hollow a thing out of that Minister’s mouth as she has ever spoken.

Teachers ar on the frontline of Societies failings and hopes, and denigrating their professionalism with a system specifically designed to undermine them is a slap in the face to every progressive who sees well funded public education as the solution.

26 COMMENTS

  1. You mean teachers are the front line of the union movement – it’s just about all that’s left since they comprise about half of all union members.

    Teachers union broken = union movement broken

    I can’t wait!

    Oh and by the way, Charter Schools are in fact delivering the goods: Ensuring Maori under-achievers get the decent education they deserve rather than being passed through the state system as illiterates and on into prison.

      • Huh? Are you awake Andrew? Do you need help whipping the sleep from your eyes?

        Cause you missed the Children’s Commissioners report that said in the first instance we failed children. That hasn’t changed and Tolly is scrambling to find ways to make it worse.

        Hello Andrew. Are you there?

        Actually. What nationalality are you?

        • Here’s what the ERO says about the Vanguard Military School:

          “Findings:
          Vanguard Military School has made a very good start to its operation. A significant proportion of students have not experienced success in their previous schools. At this school they are responding positively to adults’ high expectations. Students wear their uniform with pride, and respect the school ethos of teamwork and military precision.

          Students’ commitment to the school is evident in their high attendance rates. Their attendance data exceed that of national student attendance averages and is also 11 percent higher than the contractual target. The majority of students travel long distances to get to the school. Only 26 percent of students live in the local area.”

          Hard to argue with results isn’t it?

          • Of course Vanguard Military School is (apparently) doing well, Andrew. What you failed to tell us is that their funding, per student, is higher than they originally contracted for;

            Charter school defends drop in roll

            The North Shore charter school, which starts every day with a military parade, had 79 students attending in October this year – 25 per cent below the 108 it was funded to teach, Green Party education spokeswoman Catherine Delahunty said.

            Delahunty said that because charter schools did not lose funding when their roll dropped, the school was being paid the equivalent of $27,000 in operational funding per student each year, compared with $7000 per student in state schools.

            ref: http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/63695078/Charter-school-defends-drop-in-roll

            When a State or integrated school suffers a fall in their rolls, they lose funding.

            Whichever way you look at it, Charter schools are being subsidised so they can’t fail

            • Quoting the link you posted:

              “The reality is these kids have gained the qualification they signed up for, and we should be celebrating that, not throwing stones at them.”

              He said 41 out of 45 students sitting NCEA level 2 this year had already passed the course, and 84 per cent of students had passed level 1.

              “Some gained it earlier in the year and have already gone on to join the army and other courses – and that’s a good thing.”

              • Well, well, well, Andrew. It seems that Hekia Parata is not keen to carry out a full audit and comparison to assess how students at Charter Schools are doing;

                Education minister Hekia Parata vetoed a plan to compare charter school students’ results with those of children at state schools, official documents reveal.

                Ref: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/political/286453/charter-school-comparison-vetoed

                I wonder what she is hiding? What is she afraid of?

                Because if Charter schools were doing as fabulous as you make out, she’d be commissioning an audit and comparison, and trumpeting the results from the top of the Beehive.

                But she isn’t. Why?

    • Well breaking everything is the governments speciality so you won’t have to wait long. It’s odd that you can’t make the connection between a teachers union and the quality of educators. Charter schools are a failure in concept and practice, and your claim is ignorant and offensive re; Maori and prisons. Stick to subjects you know something about, if that’s not too restrictive. No doubt you took to the streets in 1981 as well, because the whole country was there in hindsight. Just as the ugly cost of this social experiment will be something you never supported. We gotcha number bro.

    • I’m not opposed to Charter schools…it’s just too early to judge their success or otherwise in NZ. And despite being a supporter of free market economics, I don’t share your desire to see the end of unions. Over many years I have seen unions co-exist successfully with businesses, and I have run businesses that have greatly benefitted from a ‘partnership’ with unions. Some unions may well have lost their way, but if you want an example of sound modern thinking within the union movement, read Mike Treen’s most recent (and excellent) piece on this blog.

  2. So Hekia Parata not only want to give the charter school way more money than the local public school but also wants the local state school to give support to the charter school for free.

    Given the charter school can take any excess funds as profit, any thing the states school provides to the charter school, the charter school can just take as profit. The state schools loses and the charter school laughs all the way to the bank.

    • Actually the evidence so far is that Charter Schools will cost less to run than State schools, I suspect partly because they’re bulk funded and avoid a lot of pointless bureaucracy. But it’s early days yet. We need to see how things pan out once the initial setup investment is complete.

      It’s also worth noting that Iwi are moving in favour of Charter Schools – because they are achieving better outcomes for their children. After all isn’t that the objective:

      http://www.nzherald.co.nz/education/news/article.cfm?c_id=35&objectid=11514077

      • Actually the evidence so far is that Charter Schools will cost less to run than State schools,

        That is patently untrue, Andrew. Parroting ACT propaganda does not make it true. It just makes you good at parroting.

        Funding for at least one school was increased to prevent it collapsing;

        The Government is giving a troubled charter school at Whangaruru in Northland one more chance, and increasing its funding.

        Documents published today showed the Education Ministry recommended closing the 39-student school, after a special audit in March concluded it was not capable of fixing its problems.

        […]

        Ms Parata said the Government would give the school an extra $129,000 this year to help with its improvement plan. She said the school’s long-term future was not assured and it would be audited again in October.

        ref: http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/279604/another-chance-for-troubled-charter-school

        Even the NZ Herald – not usually known as a mouthpiece for the Left was highly critical of Charter School funding;

        Editorial: Keep charter schools to the budget

        Education Minister Hekia Parata said it was up to the schools to decide how to spend their establishment grant and that it was already clear $18.95 million allocated to them for establishment costs would not be enough. The sums were set before the Government knew what type of schools might be approved. It all begs the question, exactly how much foundation capital are the charters contributing themselves?

        As if those discoveries were not disturbing enough, when the first charter schools opened this month we found two of them, in Northland, trying to send their pupils to nearby state schools for some subjects. That was not in the plan. If a charter school is going to take money for pupils’ complete education, then “subcontract” part of its obligation to state schools, what is the point? The taxpayer could cut out the middle man.

        Ref: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11203597

        I’m not opposed to private sachools.

        I am opposed to taxpayers subsidising what is, essentially, private enterprise.

        Who else gets start-up and ongoing funding like Charter Schools? (Aside from corporate subsidies to Warner Bros and Rio Tinto).

        • “I am opposed to taxpayers subsidising what is, essentially, private enterprise.”

          Under virtually any other circumstance I would agree with you, Frank, but I’m prepared to wait and see a> whether charter schools can deliver better results with challenging kids, and b> whether in the long run they can do so for less/the same per pupil. It is far too early to judge.

          “Who else gets start-up and ongoing funding like Charter Schools?”

          Many other private education providers, and perhaps that is a problem in that there is precedent here.

          On Whangaruru, it simply should have been allowed to fail. But then so should some public schools I suspect?

          • “I am opposed to taxpayers subsidising what is, essentially, private enterprise.”

            Under virtually any other circumstance I would agree with you, Frank, but I’m prepared to wait and see a> whether charter schools can deliver better results with challenging kids, and b> whether in the long run they can do so for less/the same per pupil. It is far too early to judge..

            Well, that still doesn’t address the problem of taxpayers’ money used to subsidise private enterprise operations. We’re not talking about the State contracting existing community organisations such as IHC to provide support for people with disabilities – Charter Schools are funded from the ground-up by the taxpayer. They simply would not exist without taxpayer funding – a far-cry from private schools that operate independently of the State.

            It’s not even a question of Charter Schools being a necessity which the State can’t supply. There are already plenty of schools available, including Special Schools for challenging kids; Allenvale Special School and Res Centre; Arahunga School; Arohanui Special School; Blomfield Special School and Resource Ctre; Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ; Carlson School (Cerebral Palsy); Central Regional Health School; Fairhaven School (Napier); Ferndale School (Christchurch); Goldfields School (Paeroa); Halswell Residential College; Hamilton North School; etc, etc.

            Ref: https://www.educationcounts.govt.nz/find-school/search-results?schoolName=&regionId=&schoolTypeId=23&schoolAuthId=1&genderId=&medium=&boarding=

            Were you aware that these schools existed?

            A report by John McKeown, entitled “Extreme, Challenging Behaviour in New Zealand and English Special Schools and how it is dealt with”, looked into Special Schools here in New Zealand, and compared them with schools in England. He wrote;

            The difference in answers to this question from English and New Zealand schools clearly tells a story of resourcing differences and for me states plainly that more staffing resources would make a decisive difference in New Zealand Special Schools. (pg4)

            And,

            Considering the vast difference in funding levels between rich England and poor cousin New Zealand I believe it is a compliment to New Zealand schools that they manage to “keep up” and be usually just as effective as their English counterparts. It does come at a cost though and I believe that cost is borne mostly by some school staff who regularly suffer assault at the hands of some of the students. (p20)

            So we have special schools already. It’s a lack of funding that is the critical problem.

            On Whangaruru, it simply should have been allowed to fail. But then so should some public schools I suspect?

            No, not at all. That assumes that State schools are businesses and should run along those lines. That is clearly ridiculous as there are very few similarities between non-profit schools and profit-making companies.

            If a State school appears to be “failing”, there are obviously problems that require addressing.

            “Who else gets start-up and ongoing funding like Charter Schools?”

            Many other private education providers, and perhaps that is a problem in that there is precedent here.

            Oh, such as?

            • Hi Frank. Thanks, you make some compelling points. I was aware of the state run special schools, I’m just not outright opposed to those same provisions being contracted out.

              “That assumes that state schools are businesses…”

              I didn’t mean fail in a financial sense. There are state schools that have failed to deliver educational outcomes, and have been propped up by forced zone changes, appointment of statutory boards etc.

              “Oh, such as”

              A number of ece centres receive start up funding, and for very similar reasons to charter schools. For example an ece centre can receive funding for establishment in areas with a concentration of targeted groups. This has been the case for many years, originated, I believe, under the Clark govt.

              • If you’re referring to Discretionary Grants for new early childhood centres, they must be community-based – not private firms, trusts, etc.

                The 20 hours free ECE is also predicated on the participation of registered teachers;

                Teacher-led services and some kōhanga reo are eligible to offer 20 Hours Free ECE.

                A ‘teacher-led service’ is one that is required to have a person responsible (or home-based coordinator) who is a qualified and registered early childhood teacher. (pg8)

                Charter schools are not required to employ registered teachers – a “point of difference” made clear by National and ACT.

  3. Hah! It’s called crossing the line to talk to scabs and true trade unionists don’t do it. Tough titty Hekia! You’ve clearly forgotten the power of unity…

  4. What a sell out Hekia is !
    What a true puppet for her lying corporate boss. Real team player.
    What a major disappointment to most teachers and her victim students.

    She is carrying out the agenda in fine fashion and anyone else notice her
    hidden disgust for those who oppose her or disagree with her. She is a very fine actress and should get an award for her almost convincing performances and smart dress and jewelry. Queen sell out ! and I bet there are more than a few Maori’s who are very disappointed in her.
    Many students and their parents are paying the price for her mis-management as well as dissatisfied teachers. What a shame.

  5. I’m probably stating the obvious but Charter Schools are part of the Neo-lib ideology that all Public Services should be outsourced to the private sector.

    The spin they give it is that the magic invisible hand of the market will produce better outcomes for everyone. The reality is that they believe that their “class” has the right – even the duty – to take profit from all spending by the State, so they don’t care when it inevitably costs tax payers more.

    • Bob, you’re making some incorrect assumptions.

      Firstly the Charter School concept is aimed at providing a different style of education to suit areas where conventional schools are currently failing. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but our current system is anything but ‘world class’ and has been producing illiterates from low socioeconomic backgrounds for decades, many of whom subsequently graduate to prison. Something clearly has to be done and since Charter Schools are performing well in the USA in similar situations, it’s a fair bet they’ll work here too. Certainly worth trying out.

      Secondly none of the charter schools opened so far have been ‘for profit’. They’re all based on non-profit community trusts.

      The thing I find exasperating about today’s Left is their knee-jerk reaction against this sort of innovation. They’re getting results, so who cares about the details? Or is the main motivation of Left wing dogma today all about protecting the teachers union? I must remind you that schools are there primarily to educate children not provide employment opportunities for teachers.

  6. unless she was a veteran she has no business cot tailing on 1981. That’s like wearing someone else’s war medals and saying you earned them. 0% integrity.

    [Martin, I assume you mean “coat-tailing”? I didn’t want to change the wording unless it’s what you meant. Cheers. – ScarletMod]

  7. Andrew has already admitted the purpose of charter schools is to break the teachers union which makes him happy as he hates unions …..

    The police association is the police union in all but name ……

    Using Andrew anti union logic charter police stations should be set up ……

    Cheaper un-registerd police men and women could be hired and their union/association would be busted.

    Happy days for Andrew 😉

    • Yes indeed!

      It’s a win both ways as far as I’m concerned:

      1/ Improved outcomes for the poor

      2/ The removal of the last vestiges of the union movement.

      In my earlier years I was twice forced to become a union member in order to obtain work. I saw, first-hand just what scum union bosses really are.

      • “Improved outcomes for the poor” my hairy arse. You’re not in the least interested in the poor.

        God knows you’ve referred to New Zealand’s poorest families as “scum” on many occassions.

        Charter Schools are an ideological obsession for you, and a weapon to beat teacher’s unions with.

        The fact you’re willing to use children from poor families to pursue your vendetta is despicable.

        What really gets your goat is that whilst Teacher’s Unions are voluntary they are still supported by teachers. And that just really gets under your skin, doesn’t it?

        You are obsessed.

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