Resistance is futile

Stuff reports:

ACT leader David Seymour says a Ministry of Education decision to shut down a Manawatū kindergarten appears to be “acting against the will of the community”.

In comments made to Stuff, Seymour said he would be asking ministry officials to explain why they were closing Country Kindy, when he met with them on Monday.

“I am very concerned by this action. It would appear that the ministry is acting against the will of the community, rather than upholding standards on its behalf,“ he said.

Country Kindy, between Feilding and Palmerston North, had been stripped of its licence over curriculum issues, a decision the Early Childhood Council described as an “overreach”.

This is unusual. Normally you only close an institution if it is unsafe. So what are the sins done by Country Kindy:

A 2022 Education Review Office report found children’s culture, language and identity at the kindergarten were not consistently reflected in the curriculum.

It also found learning partnerships with tamariki and whānau Māori were not evident, and the kindergarten had not made clear progress with previous recommendations.

So they close down the only Kindy in the area, despite the support of parents.

UPDATE: The closure is delayed for at least 12 weeks, which is good.