Learning Media

Audrey Young at NZ Herald reports:

Prime Minister John Key said yesterday that the School Journal would continue despite the decision to close the state-owned enterprise that produced it, Learning Media.

“There are still some very important parts of the business like the School Journal and that will be maintained,” Mr Key said yesterday after Finance Minister Bill English and Education Minister Hekia Parata announced it would be wound down over several months.

Opposition parties say the decision to open up its traditional business to competition killed it off.

So the opposition believe state owned companies should not face competition?

The company employs just over 100 people. It had its genesis as the School Publications branch of the old Department of Education and has struggled financially for many years.

Mr English said the company had been bailed out before by the Government, even when it had a monopoly contract.

It lost money even when it had a monopoly?