Regional shake-up for Education Ministry?

The Ministry of Education looks set to revamp its regional offices with the creation of four new Regional Director roles says Labour’s Education Spokesperson Nanaia Mahuta

“Only one person in the newly established positions has any background and in depth knowledge of education.  That suggests the Minister is looking towards a major overhaul of regional operations which may lead to further separation between the Ministry and the education sector.

“This move will further inflame the strained relationship between the sector and the Government that has become such a problem under Hekia Parata.

“The Minister’s stewardship of education has been a disastrous series of bungles and botched decisions.  From the Government’s attempt to increase class sizes, to the Novopay fiasco, the use of “ropey” National Standards data and the lack of proper consultation and flawed decision making on Christchurch school closures, just about everything Hekia Parata touches goes wrong.

“The Minster’s regional shake-up will not give confidence to principals and teachers; instead it’s likely to make matters worse.

“Once again the Ministers new broom mentality may only lead to sweeping the real issues under the mat rather than sorting them out properly,” says Nanaia Mahuta.