Closure of John Key's school a 'breach'

The country's principals have scolded Education Minister Anne Tolley over moves to close Prime Minister John Key's old primary school in Christchurch.

The decile-three Aorangi School, with a roll of about 90, faces the axe because of a falling roll and costly building replacement needed.

In announcing the closure earlier this year, Ms Tolley said nearby schools could take Aorangi's current students.

"I don't believe that the school's planned replacement building programme, costing over $2 million, can be justified or is an effective use of taxpayer money," she said.

But the New Zealand Principals' Federation today said it was totally opposed to the closure.

The process for deciding to close it was so flawed losing Aorangi "would be in breach of the principles of natural justice", said federation president Ernie Buutveld.

Mr Buutveld said the ministry's original costing data had actually changed several times and an independent review stated that the "errors cast grave doubts on the underlying assumptions and calculations".

The federation also believed the minister's use of achievement data was another factor in making her decision a serious error of judgement.

"Making this determination based on such a narrow set of achievement information is outrageous. Certainly ERO (Education Review Office) did not share this fear, as the school's latest review report was very good."

Canterbury Primary Principals' Association also called on Ms Tolley to back down.

"It's not true that local schools have the capacity to cater for extra students - if Aorangi closes, there will be a shortage of places in surrounding schools, not the surplus Anne Tolley has used to sell the closure. She needs to check her facts," said Canterbury association president Denise Torrey.

Ms Tolley would not comment on the issue or the figures today, as she has not yet made a final decision and was still considering the school's submission against closure.

Earlier she said the decision was not based on any achievement data but the cost of new buildings, the school's roll and the fact there were nearby schools.

- NZPA