My thought for the day

Paying for a child's education could bring a sevenfold return on the investment. So why are we shortchanging our future here in New Zealand?

10:01:41 PM    

And an observation

I have just heard TV3's item about Invercargill. See TV One's version here: Southlanders to fight school plan (01:59). The Minister says that this is about falling roles.  Well, consider Appendix 3 of the Ministry's document on Upper Hutt. Note the dramatic decline from 1977 to 1987. A long time ago, wasn't it? I wonder why they bothered to put it in the document? Now read on, and there, that little bit that says

1997 Total school role: 3616
2003 Total school role: 3811
Growth: 5.3%

And yet our schools are being closed...

9:47:20 PM    

Hmm. An Idea.

Given that the school closures in New Zealand are all about money, the following link may give our Education Minister an idea on how to save even more: School-chasing parents 'immoral'

To summarise, Anthony Seldon, headmaster of Brighton College, East Sussex, calls for means-tested state school fees. He argues this would give parents a vested interest in improving schools' performances.

He provides two quotes of interest:

• "Fee-paying parents demand a good service, and are closely involved in schools. "
• "Research shows that the more involved parents are, the better the performance of the school."

Ooh - not only do we get our hands on extra cash, but it improves educational outcomes. Remember, you heard it here first...

9:16:01 PM