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The United Future 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 United Future Party is neutral on NCEA

United Future supports the use of NCEA while acknowledging areas of improvement are still needed. It is UnitedFuture policy to: Introduce a minimum number of standards for each subject that must be externally assessed; Engage in a public education campaign to ensure that parents, students and employers understand the NCEA system; Look at initiatives to address the problem of boys continuing to fall behind girls in achievement and completion rates for NCEA; Establish consistent policies on internal and external reassessment opportunities; Ensure that the time allotted to complete externally assessed exams is appropriate to the number of standards that students are sitting; Review the appropriateness of the three levels of achievement to consider a more graduated grading system.

The United Future Party supports bulk-funding of schools

A United Future spokesman says, "We support bulk-funding, but would fund support staff salaries separately from schools general operations grant."

The United Future Party supports providing 20 hours of free early childhood education

United Future supports the idea that 3 and 4 year-olds should have 20 hours (or part thereof) early childhood education per week heavily subsidised, where it will make early childhood education and care more affordable for families and/or improves children’s learning. United Future will include Play-centre, Köhanga Reo and Pacific Language nests in this policy as well as teacher-led centres for the same reasons.

The United Future Party strongly supports universal allowances for tertiary students

We would support a universal allowance over the status quo that income tests 18-24 year old adults on their parents' income. However we advocate a "zero-fees" policy that would end fee for tertiary institutions and help all students including those studying part-time. Zero-fees would cost the same a universal allowance.

The United Future Party opposes education vouchers for school pupils to be able to go to their school of choice

United Future does not support vouchers. A spokesman says, "We support the right of children to attend their local school. In this way, zoning appears the best option despite its obvious flaws."

The United Future Party is neutral on bonding graduates to remain in New Zealand in return for a partial write-off of their student loan

A United Future spokesman says, "We prefer to concentrate on making New Zealand a great country to come home to after an OE, and also slashing student debt with our Zero –fees policy. However, we would consider voluntary bonding schemes for graduates in fields facing workforce shortages (e.g. mental health nurses, child psychologists, pathologists, radiologists, radiographers, general practitioners, psychiatrists) into a period of service in New Zealand following graduation."