Update re: Experiences and Suggestions re NZ Education
On Wednesday I posted this: (please sure further beneath it)
In early March I have the privilege of a short speaking slot and being on an Education Panel at the NZ Economics Forum hosted by Waikato University.
The topic for the Education Panel is: Schools under the Microscope – How do we turn them around?
Many of the problems have become very clear over the last five years and include – but are not limited to – attendance, retention until 17 years old, huge ethnicity and socio-economic achievement gaps, significant decline against international metrics, attracting high quality teachers.
I have no shortage of data and a number of ideas for rapid and significant improvement. I am also consulting with some very high quality researchers and educators to produce a high quality take-away document.
However, I am still many years away from the situation where in my tombstone it will say – “Here lies Alwyn – and wisdom dies with him.” In fact – I will be lucky to outdo Spike Milligan’s last joke.
I would very much welcome views from Kiwiblog people – either in the comments/discussion – or by direct email (no word limit – I will read them all). I also welcome counter arguments to what you think my views might be.
Initial themes would be:
- the educational experiences of yourself and your family – good and bad of course.
- your view of the state of the NZ system and causes.
- your suggestions on need changes and improvements.
Anything I use directly I am very happy to credit back to the writer (or not – as you prefer). Your views are important – not least because you pay for our education system.
Please don’t hesitate to share the post on to those you think may be interested.
Thanks in advance.
UPDATE: I am reading all of the comments and finding them interesting. Also have a good number of well thought through emails. Much appreciated. Education has to be a major 2023 issue.
Alwyn Poole
alwyn.poole@gmail.com
Friday Update
I have received a remarkable response – both in the comments and many high-quality emails. I am well and truly open to more. As a summary response to a question by Ian Boag I have posted:
Hi Ian
Yes I have thought through a lot of this previously but the responses on here – and extensive ones on email have provided food for thought.
I am also talking and getting great responses from a good range and depth of people who think on such things for professional reasons (and whom I have been in discussion in one way or another for a while) – e.g. John Hattie, Cameron Bagrie, Dame Wendy Pye, etc.
There is huge mood for change and one of the key things in 2023 is that we don’t allow people who will attempt to negate the change to play wac-a-mole. When I have put together the full document I will make it widely available.
I hear what you say re “parents as first teachers” but – in view of what we know now about human development (refer David Eagleman) – unless we get pre-birth and the first 3 – 5 years right – the rest is uphill. Difficult? Extremely – but it is an imperative. If NZ is to be the country it ought to be in 18 – 30 years then we must work that out.
The one glaring piece of consensus: The Ministry is far more responsible for the decline and current debacle than their spin doctors will allow to be public to realise. The bureaucracy is no longer serving its purpose and their email footer: “We shape an education system that delivers equitable and excellent outcomes” is fodder for a Yes Minister remake. Many of the front-line Ministry providers are excellent but the 4000 person behemoth is as outdated and as unfit for purpose as a medieval castle in modern warfare. Maybe it is time for NZ families and schools to simply drive around them – until there is the political will to make the necessary, and massive, changes.
Alwyn
alwyn.poole@gmail.com
ps: There is a way for the Ministry to prove the consensus wrong and that would be to have an external 360 degree from stakeholders done (including parents and taxpayers). I am sure Curia would do a great job.