Lange seeks ‘fair system’

Press, 18 March 1989, Page 1

Lange seeks ‘fair system’

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington

Ideas on ways to monitor the effectiveness of schools under the new system of school administration are being sought by the Government. The Minister of Education, Mr Lange, said the Government had been left with the question of how to check on the effectiveness of schools. He told the Auckland University Principals’ Centre seminar yesterday that the system had to provide students with quality learning and teaching.

Overseas evidence showed that self-managing schools enhanced learning, but standards needed more than the reform of administration.

Mr Lange said he would be addressing issues on the assessment of effective learning and teaching this year. They were complex issues.

“When I talk about effectiveness I want assurances that children are not falling through the system and not being picked up until near the end of their time in it,” he said.

“I want answers which give me confidence in local schools and the whole school system. “Work has begun on thinking about ways of monitoring the system,” Mr Lange said.

“I am keen to receive ideas on ways we could assess schools that take into account the different student intakes coming into different schools.”

It was difficult as people accepted that to provide genuine equality of opportunity in the system there had to be unequal distribution of resources.

While people agreed with the idea in principle of some schools needing more than others, in practice the idea was likely to be disputed. “I want a fair system,” he said.

“I want it fair to boys and girls, to Maori and pakeha, to Pacific Islanders, to the child living in the high country, to the gifted child, and to the child with special needs and learning handicaps.” A working party on assessment had been set up under the Under-Secretary for Education, Mr Noel Scott.