Self governing schools

Back in 1988 many predicted that ending central control of high schools would be a social disaster. Bali Haque’s experience has given him the vision to recognise that it has happened. Formerly the Education Department vetted wannabe principal applicants and gave the school board a short list of those “suitable”.

Under deregulated Tomorrow’s Schools we have had some incompetent or nepotistic boards putting all sorts of wind-bags in charge at less prominent schools. Some have slowly descended into disaster, even with staff-room infighting, mass resignations, sexual misadventures, misappropriated funds, and more.

Bali’s hubs have a huge challenge ahead of them.

Jim Carlyle, Te Atatu Peninsula.