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The Progressive 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

The Progressive Party supports NCEA

A Progressives spokeswoman says the party supports the NCEA.

The Progressive Party opposes bulk-funding of schools

A Progressives spokeswoman says the party opposes bulk-funding.

The Progressive Party strongly supports providing 20 hours of free early childhood education

A Progressives spokeswoman says the party supports the government’s 20 hours free programme “and favours expansion”.

The Progressive Party strongly supports universal allowances for tertiary students

A Progressives spokeswoman says the party strongly supports free tertiary education. It would introduce a universal allowance and remove fees as well.

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

A Progressives spokeswoman says the party opposes education vouchers, preferring a free public education system.

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

The Progressives have been a leader in supporting bonding schemes across a range of sectors including health and education. A Progressives spokeswoman says they strongly support such schemes, adding “it’s our policy”. In regards to the health sector, that policy promises to, “Press for the implementation of Progressive policy of allowing new graduate doctors to have their student loan repayments paid by 20 per cent of the total loan each year being written off for at least 3 years, if they work in the Public Hospital system”.