National standards on tour
BY JESSIE COLQUHOUN
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The row over national standards continued with a hiss and a roar as a teachers union bus tour rolled into Mangere last week.
New Zealand Educational Institute has organised the bus tour around New Zealand to inform people about the standards issue and gain support for a trial through a petition.
One bus started at the top of the North Island, the other at the bottom of the South Island and both are stopping off at schools before meeting in Wellington.
In Manukau the bus visited Papatoetoe South School, Clover Park Middle School, Mangere Central School, Panama Rd School, St Joseph’s School, Fairburn School, Otahuhu Intermediate, Manurewa East School, Greenmeadows Intermediate and Finlayson Park School.
Mangere Central principal Maria Heron invited the bus to stop at the carpark across the road from her school.
The union members put on a sausage sizzle for parents and children leaving school while handing out leaflets and encouraging people to sign a petition.
Mrs Heron still has concerns that the standards aren’t tested and the effect of them on students.
"What we’re asking for is a trial. That’s all," Mrs Heron says.
NZEI president Frances Nelson says the bus tour has had a positive response from the Manukau communities.
"Wherever we go it’s not just schools attending, it’s lots of other people too. We can’t keep up with the invites to schools – it’s a good sign that people want to know what’s happening."
When the buses arrive in Wellington there will be a rally at Parliament and the petitions will be presented to the government.
Ms Nelson anticipates signatures will be in the "hundreds of thousands".
Any Manukau parents interested in finding about more about national standards are welcome to attend NZEI’s forum at the Otahuhu Town Hall tomorrow at 7pm.
- © Fairfax NZ News
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