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Labour Party on Education

Education has emerged as a key concern in recent general elections and provides significant points of contrast between the main political parties. The issue is regularly one of the top three issues for voters in opinion polls. The future of state education, the suitability of the national curriculum, and the funding of higher education have all become key issues as the 2010 general election approaches.

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The issues

Labour Party strongly supports NCEA

Labour supports the NCEA, a system the party introduced. A party spokesperson says, “Schools are reporting that because of the NCEA they are actually hanging on to students who otherwise would have dropped out of education. Our universities have welcomed this qualification because of its rich detail about student achievement”. Former Education Minister Steve Maharey said last year, “NCEA is a world-class qualifications system which challenges students, recognises their achievement, and is proven to prepare students well for university”

Labour Party strongly opposes bulk-funding of schools

Labour is opposed to both bulk funding of teachers’ salaries, arguing it undermines rather than leads to the provision of quality public education. Education minister Chris Carter has spoken in the House about the “inequities “we had under bulk funding”, while MP Russell Fairbrother has told parliament that “Bulk funding is the enemy of National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA)”.

Labour Party strongly supports providing 20 hours of free early childhood education

Labour introduced 20 hours free early childhood education. Its policy says, “Currently around 85,000 3 and 4 year olds are taking part in our policy of 20 Hours Free early childhood education, and Labour is committed to seeing this number grow in the future”.

Labour Party strongly supports universal allowances for tertiary students

Labour supports universal allowances for tertiary students and between 2009 and 2012 will phase out parental income testing on student allowances. However, other tests such as a spousal and a personal income test will still apply.

Labour Party strongly opposes education vouchers for school pupils to be able to go to their school of choice

Labour is opposed to education vouchers, advocating a public education system and school zoning so that children go to their local schools. The party says that education vouchers are an idea that has “failed before and they [vouchers] will fail again”.

Labour Party supports bonding graduates to remain in New Zealand in return for a partial write-off of their student loan

Labour has put in place a range of bonded scholarships, a party spokesperson says. “Last year 135 trainee doctors took up a Bonded Merit Scholarship. More bonded scholarships are being made available”. In September 2008, Tertiary Education Minister Pete Hodgson said, “In 2009 more than 2000 bonded academic scholarships will be available to students. Those who receive them are bonded to remain in New Zealand for up to four years after graduation”.