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The National Party on Education
National has not released specific policy on NCEA but has indicated that it would reform rather than completely cut the existing system. For example, in announcing the party’s recent announcement on a “crusade” to improve literacy and numeracy, leader John Key said, "Around one in five leave school without NCEA Level 1, and many don't achieve even basic reading, writing and maths skills. Raising literacy and numeracy standards will be a critical goal of the next National Government”. It added that it would boost funding to help pupils achieve National Standards.
John Key said on Agenda that it was "unlikely" that bulk funding for schools would be part of National's policy and hinted at a major funding boost for private schools, possibly double the present $40 million cap.
National policy is to keep 20 Hours and maintain existing subsidies and fee controls. According to their policy statement, “Thousands of parents are now using the scheme and we do not want to cause them financial uncertainty. We will, however, make the scheme more flexible and improve its availability. We will also remove the misleading word ‘free’ from its title and will instead call it “20 Hours ECE”.
John Key said in the Herald that the Government’s announcement was "an interesting idea" and his party would announce its student loan policy in the coming weeks. “We will indicate a more generous scheme but it won't be universal at this time."
National does not have a policy of school vouchers in this campaign, but proposes a voucher entitling 16- and 17-year-old school-leavers to a limited period of free educational training at polytechs and other tertiary providers. Any young person who fails to take up his or her entitlement (except for reasons of sickness) will be ineligible for a benefit.
National will introduce a "voluntary bonding" scheme offering student loan debt write-off to graduate doctors, nurses, and midwives agreeing to work in hard-to-staff communities or specialties for three to five years. According to the education policy statement, “We will consult organisations such as professional colleges and universities, and the Ministry of Health, to ensure graduates in the scheme are placed where shortages are critical. We envisage: A maximum annual write-off of around $10,000. The amount will be set for each occupation based on the average student loan debt levels at graduation. The first three years of annual write-offs will be made when the professional has been in place for three full years. The remaining write-offs will be made annually. There will be flexibility in the scheme to allow for ongoing training and maternity leave. Professionals who have graduated since 2005 will be eligible for the scheme. The scheme will be extended to other health professional groups over time. The scheme will operate alongside graduates’ compulsory minimum student loan repayments. We estimate the cost of the scheme will be around $3 million in the first year of the scheme, $6 million in the second, and $9 million in the third - assuming a notional occupational mix of around 100 doctors each year bonded at an annual write-off of $10,000, and 250 nurses and midwives each year at an average annual write-off of $3,500.”