Teachers criticise new plan

Palmerston North principals are hot under the collar over a new online schooling initiative they say blindsided and undermines teachers.

Last week, Education Minister Hekia Parata announced schoolaged children would be able to do all their learning online.

The sweeping change will allow any school, tertiary provider or an approved industry to apply to be a ‘‘community of online learning’’ (COOL). The radical shift in the way schooling is taught is part of the Education (Update) Amendment Bill introduced to Parliament last Tuesday – the biggest update to the legislation in 27 years.

Freyberg High School principal Peter Brooks said his main concern was that a statement from Parata had blindsided teachers.

‘‘They have cross-sector forums set up for exactly this sort of thing, but the first we heard about it was in the news. That’s not how education policy should be developed.’’

He said when policy came out of left field like this, there was no chance for debate among educators

Both Parata and former education secretary Peter Hughes assured teachers there would be no more surprises after the forums were set up in 2012, he said. ‘‘And yet, here we are again, debating process instead of the actual things that will make our students’ education better.’’

Parata said she made it a priority to engage with teachers and schools but, in the end, policy was a Government decision.

Parata said COOL would complement, schools and would fill in gaps when subjects weren’t available at local schools, or students wished to take more advanced studies.

‘‘Most students will not undertake full online learning. But for some young New Zealanders, including those who have become disengaged from education, those who are home-schooled, those in rural and isolated areas, and those who live overseas but want to gain New Zealand qualifications, it will be the best option for them.’’

Palmerston North Boys’ High School rector David Bovey said Parata’s announcement undervalued the role of teachers and schools.

‘‘The thing that strikes me is on one hand she says she’s trying to support teachers and schools, but with one statement she’s undermined teachers throughout the country.’’

Post Primary Teachers’ Association Manawatu/whanganui cochair Grant Collie said the school system was already using online learning options.

‘‘Since these tools became widely available we’ve been using them. We’re doing online learning, and mixing online and face-to-face lessons.’’

Rangitikei College, for example, has been using video conferencing and online tools to offer subjects, he said.

Collie said the new policy added nothing new to education except the chance for business and industry to set up as online learning providers.

‘‘It’s a case of neo-libralism gone nuts. It’s taking the partnership between us and the parents out of education, and making it a partnership between Government and business.’’