Fears on policy ‘groundless’

Press, 5 April 1989, Page 8

Fears on policy ‘groundless’

Many of the fears parents have about the implementation of the Government’s new education policy, "Tomorrow’s Schools,” are groundless, according to the member of Parliament for Lyttelton, Dr Peter Simpson. Dr Simpson was addressing parents at a meeting last evening in the St Martins school hall, which had been called to help answer questions on the new policy. Nominations for places on the school’s board of trustees will close tomorrow. Six nominations have already been received and the returning officer, Mr John Priddy, said the number was likely to double.

St Martins is one of the largest primary schools in Christchurch with a school roll of 525. Dr Simpson said education reform would not further advantage the advantaged or disadvantaged schools in areas socially or econo-

mically disadvantaged

The crunch was the relationship between the Government and the local community and schools. In the past education had been centralised with little input by the individual communities, Dr Simpson said.

Under the new reforms the community would have a much greater role to play but a balance was needed.

The school’s principal, Mr Peter McGurk, said the system had to work because if it did not, the price would be too high.

“Tomorrow’s Schools” was, it was hoped, about getting the best deal for the children of this nation. “If it isn’t about that, it’s a horrible thing to contemplate,” he said. He called on parents interested in a place on the board of trustees to adopt a co-operative approach with mutual respect.