The best opportunity for NZ Education in Generations
In NZ we have for way too long sat back and considered our education system to be amazing. We would, of course, all wish it was. But a form of awakening has taken place in the last six years and I will not bore you with the statistics that are unequivocal.
The new government have the greatest opportunity in many generations to blast the NZ education system ahead and should have full motivation to make our system truly world leading.
From a metrics perspective this means:
- almost all school age children are enrolled in a school or legally homeschooled.
- at least 80% of NZ children attend school 90% of the time.
- our curriculum is world class and clearly focused on academics that allows young people to become highly informed, creative and critical thinkers and young adults, at the end of schooling, with HUGE aspirations.
- that families are fully engaged and we no longer accept socio-economics or ethnicity as an excuse for schools or students to underperform. Maori young people have as much ability as Asian young people and the gaps must be closed through aspiration and very hard work … not dumbing down everyone.
- our outcomes must improve across all levels of NCEA (or alternatives), UE and tertiary outcomes.
- our teaching workforce must become better qualified and skilled.
- we must have a system, through Designated Character Schools (etc) that allows expert provision for children who do not fit the cookie cutter mentality. Some of these young people, when well cared for with different modes, become some of the highest achievers in our society.
There can be no excuses. The new government has a huge mandate for change in education and an opportunity to create a great legacy. - Alwyn Poole
- Innovative Education Consultants
- Cambridge Festival of Sport
- www.innovativeeducation.co.nz
- www.cambridgefestivalofsport.co.nz
- www.alwynpoole.substack.com
- www.linkedin.com/in/alwyn-poole-16b02151/
