Socred on education

Press, 5 August 1981, Page 7

Socred on education

Social Credit would give greater decision-making power to school committees and decentralise the Education Department, said the party’s education spokesperson, Mr R. R. Bach.

The party’s policy would encourage the department to take an advisory role, rather than taking a direct stand on school policy. The right of parents to have a say in their children's education would be recognised with increased community participation in school life. School courses would be designed for local needs, and rural areas would receive more attention.

Schools should encourage individual growth rather than expecting pupils to fit the system, said Mr Bach.

Each school leaver would receive a certificate of attainment which would chart individual achievement

rather than be a pass or fail grade.

A university entrance examination would combine University Entrance, Bursary, and Scholarship into a single examination. Bursary would be set at more than $4O a week and it would be annually renewable.

Liaison between industry and tertiary education would be promoted, as would the complementary nature of university and technical institute courses.

A New Zealand teachers’ federation would be established to give all teachers a platform to express matters of common concern, said Mr Bach.