The charter school system would allow private business, religious organisations, iwi, or charities to take over the management of failing schools and retain state funding.
There are already many examples of existing schools that are run by private organisations and government subsidised. Not least are the Exclusive Brethren schools which teach the state curriculum and employ non-Brethren teachers. Their rolls are growing. There are Catholic schools, Kura Kaupapa Maori, and others, all seemingly schools that parents line up to send their children to.
There are also some good state schools, especially those that have a certain character and ethos that staff are committed to.
But there are state schools that are unsuccessful. Personally I believe the home environment dictates a child's willingness to learn and participate and many schools are just up against it. But if an organisation - or just a dedicated inspirational individual - is willing to try and improve the prospects of those children, why oppose them?
To understand the "fuss," picture a govt hiring one of Hone Harawira's list MPs to oversee a trial on whether the public sector should take over businesses that are struggling.
ReplyDeleteI can understand the fuss over the appointment (that's politics). What I said was I can't understand the fuss about the schools themselves.
ReplyDeleteWe already know that around a third of the decile 8-10 state schools are preparing to move to charter status as soon as they are allowed.
ReplyDeleteThe leftists are terrified that charter schools are a vouncher system in disguise, that soon all schools will be moved to the charter model. This will completely break the teachers' union - charter schools are non-union - and end compulsory socialist indoctrination!
In 20 years, that would lead to the end of the Labour and Green parties - of course the lefties are terrified!
But you'd understand the fuss if the govt intended to subsidise public sector competition with privately-owned businesses in a particular industry, right? It's just a matter of political outlook.
ReplyDeletegovt intended to subsidise public sector competition with privately-owned businesses
ReplyDeleteOf course the govt does that - in health, in education, and insurance/welfare.
That's the very definition of socialism.
The solution is clear: get the government out of those industries.
Today in Tauranga (Bethlehem) a new Maori Secondary school is opened. It is completely new in every respect.
ReplyDeleteChildren will be bussed (they have their own) from as far as Te Puke which will take at least an hour each way.
I assume that this could be construed as a Charter School, paid for by the taxpayer. It's certainly directed to a specific kind of pupil.
If Catherine Isaac can emulate the leadership of Michelle Rhee http://www.studentsfirst.org/pages/about-michelle-rhee
ReplyDeletethen the success of the scheme will be assured an the home environment immaterial.
Ahhh Milty...that state enforced fascist crap happens now! The private sector by contrast cannot force the state to do anything.
ReplyDeletePoor comparison...try again
Ahhh Milty...that state enforced fascist crap happens now!
ReplyDeleteUh, duh-uh. Try actually reading the post. Public-subsidised private sector involvement in education also "happens now!" Isaac's job is just to extend it. Hence the comparison with the fuss dim bulbs like yourself would make if the govt were to appoint a Mana Party official to oversee extending public sector involvement in business.
I strongly support the introduction of charter schools, but I do have one big concern. If Labour get into government in 2014, they would surely move to abolish charter schools.
ReplyDeleteIf they did get back in, I would love them to prove me wrong.
If Labour get into government in 2014, they would surely move to abolish charter schools.
ReplyDeleteThey wouldn't have the guts to close 'em down: they'd just "resocialise" --- bring back the teacher unions, the national curriculum, forbid real "parental donations"
That's what they did after bulk funding came in, remember.
This is why ACT must insist all state schools that want it can go chartered (say from next year) --- I know there are many principals just waiting to move.
If Labour get into government in 2014, they would surely move to abolish charter schools.
ReplyDeleteThey made no move to end the existing public subsidies to private schools, so there's no reason to assume they'd do anything to reverse further handouts. They're actually little to the left of National.
Milty....well duh! Tell us something we don't know....tard.
ReplyDelete