Reality check

Many of those who protest at imminent and seismic changes to the education system are ignorant of the facts, and driven solely by an opportunity to bash the current Coalition Government as purveyors of ‘‘centralisation’’ and socialism.

Here’s a reality check for those who believe in the sainted perfection of all things SIT, and that it shouldn’t be dragged down by other failing polytechs.

There are good courses and tutors at SIT, but I also hear stories from students disgruntled at their provision, and refer to the institution by its local nickname with consonant inserted.

Sarah Dowie and Nikki Kaye are jumping on the bandwagon with no idea of what’s happening at the education chalk face.

Those in the know, such as Auckland University’s Dr Paul Ralph (North & South, March editorial) describe students who can’t string a sentence together, and he states baldly that ‘‘Our education system needs a complete overhaul’’.

New Zealand has some of the best schools and teachers in the world, but it is the variability from excellent to appalling that is the problem.

Tomorrow’s Schools change was driven by ideology rather than educational need.

Children with special needs, including behavioural, need their teachers and schools to compensate.

Checks and balances for this are built into most education systems outside New Zealand.

A teacher refused to implement classroom support for a bright but vulnerable Maori boy with the rationale: ‘‘If he wants to sit at the back doing nothing with his mates, that’s his choice.’’

Contained within that one quote is the explanation for the tail of underachievement caused by Tomorrow’s Schools, and the dire need for consistency and accountability. Bring on those

Sarah Dowie and Nikki Kaye are jumping on the bandwagon with no idea of what’s happening at the education chalk face.