School charter has priorities wrong—M.P.

Press, 3 April 1989, Page 9

School charter has priorities wrong—M.P.

Wellington reporter

After criticising school usage of a Pulitzer prizewinning novel, the Opposition spokesman on education, Dr Lockwood Smith, has condemned the proposed school charter. Dr Smith said yesterday the quality of educational achievement was given a lower priority in running schools than a requirement to observe the Treaty of Waitangi. The list of guiding principles for school boards of trustees was headed by the obligation to develop policies consistent with the spirit of partnership in the Treaty.

“Excellence and achievement in education should be the first priority of a school, and not preceded by issues of race,” said Dr Smith.

The 1985 report, “The Quality of Teaching,” identified the raising of

educational achievement as the primary function and purpose of a school, he said.

“It is obscene for the current Government to compromise this by vain attempts at social engineering.” The Under-Secretary of Education, Mr Noel Scott, said the process of book selection at Nayland College was sensible and completely open.

Mr Scott visited the Nelson school after Dr Smith’s criticism that it included the novel “The Color Purple” on pupil reading lists. He complained pupils were exposed to such practices as incest in the Pulitzer prizewinner.

Mr Scott said parents at Nayland College were advised of the outlines of books to be studied.

Objections could be

lodged and alternative books were always available.

He said the objecting parent had a long interview with the senior staff and principal. An undertaking was given to reassess the use of “The Color Purple.” However, rather than going to the board of governors, the department or Minister of Education, the parent had chosen to go to Dr Smith. Mr Scott said public reaction had been supportive of the school.

Senior pupils at Nayland College who met Mr Scott had shown a balanced and sensible reaction to a book which was a deeply serious and disturbing social commentary.

He urged Dr Smith to visit the college and to read the book.