Double-dipping unfair on state schools

Responding to this one requires a bit of context, and a lot more facts rather than hyperbole, David.

Under Tomorrow’s Schools, each school selects and employs its own teachers. What the unions and their members are objecting to is the removal of that choice. They don’t want to see unqualified trainee teachers replace fully qualified teachers in the classroom. I suspect most parents don’t want that either.

I’m all for a greater on-job component in teacher training, but for that to work those trainees need supported from experienced mentors. What David and Hekia Parata are trying to do is prevent experienced teachers even being able to apply for some vacancies. That’s just not right.

As for charter schools, remember back when they were established how they got all that extra funding because the support they would normally get if they were a regular school had been "cashed up"? It seems they want the cash and the support as well. David now seems to be arguing that charter schools should be allowed to "double-dip" by raiding the resources of state schools. How’s that fair? Especially when we know how squeezed our state schools are, and charter schools receive three times the funding.

You can have your schools with special character, they just shouldn’t get special treatment.