Robin Duff, New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association / Te Wehengarua (PPTA) president, considers the commitment of New Zealanders to a quality public education system, the coming of a new secretary for education and the goings-on of a public service appointment process.
September 2011
Clarence Beeby - architect of a comprehensive education system that has served New Zealanders well
Clarence Beeby is a name that should, by rights, be as familiar to New Zealanders as that of Richie McCaw but it isn’t. Beeby was the architect of our comprehensive education system that (in spite of the constant sledging) has served New Zealanders well. As director of education, he, along with education minister Peter Fraser, oversaw the transformation of an elitist system where secondary education was the preserve of the wealthy to a structure that provided free and compulsory education for all children from ages 5 to 15. As the man himself put it, far more eloquently than I could: “The government’s objective, broadly expressed, is that all persons, whatever their level of ability, whether they live in town or country, have a right as citizens to a free education of the kind for which they are best fitted and to the fullest extent of their powers”.
A fair go at school - an idea realised by a public service trusted to service of the public
In practice the idea that everyone in New Zealand should get a fair go at school might have been more mythical than real, but at least the nation agreed that it was an idea worth having. Now of course it has been replaced with the narrow and unlovely idea that we should strive for equity, which means investing the same amount in everyone.
Beeby benefited from a political regime which trusted public servants and the advice they gave. That was before the public service became a wing of the government’s PR machine, adept at putting out soundbites that glorify government policies regardless of the ugly reality. And because the destructive portrayal of public servants as lazy, stupid and incompetent (in contrast to their political masters) did not yet roam abroad, talented and intelligent individuals were happy to direct their abilities to the service of the public.
Secretary for education appointed from a very different public education system and culture
But today it seems it is not even possible to find an appointee for the position of secretary for education from within the New Zealand education service or the wider public service. The replacement for Karen Sewell has had to be recruited from England – a country whose education service is probably closer to what schooling was like in New Zealand pre-Beeby.
This is not to question the abilities of Lesley Longstone, the “Sheffield lass” as her local paper called her, who is to take charge of the New Zealand education system from November this year. I assume that Ms Longstone hasn’t got where she is today without being clever and a quick learner, which is good because she will have much to learn about our history and culture, including the bicultural part of it.
The English education model is not one New Zealanders should follow
I am less sure that she will readily understand the commitment New Zealanders have to their public education system given that in England public actually means private (and selective and elitist and privileged to boot). Nor am I reassured by the leadership role she has played in the establishment of English, quasi-private schools called variously specialist schools and academies.
These schools were notable because they were set up under the auspices of business sponsors who, in return for contributing money, goods or services, got to experiment with running a school. To make sure the experience was satisfying and successful, they were given extra taxpayer funding, the ability to select students and the capacity to vary teachers’ terms and conditions. Although these schools were supposed to lift achievement they have done no better than what would be expected from any school that is able to manipulate its student intake.
Longstone has also played a role in helping organisations to set up “free schools,” an initiative of the Conservative-led government. These schools are “for profit”. One of the trusts that received £500,000 pounds (without a public tender) to establish “free” schools turned out to have very close links with the same Conservative Party that introduced the policy – so it certainly has been free for them!
Nothing is free though. The profits generated by these schools will come from the employment of unqualified staff and reductions in wages and conditions. The cost will be borne by children in low socioeconomic communities where the schools have been encouraged to set up. There will be no risks taken with the education of the children of the well heeled.
Three possible reasons for the appointment by the State Services Commission appointment panel
This is public information and would have been known to the State Services Panel that made the appointment. What were they thinking? There are three possibilities: one, Lesley Longstone impressed as being an experienced career civil servant who would competently adapt to the different environment in New Zealand; two, the job is difficult and challenging so there were few suitable applicants; or three, Treasury and the State Services Commission are looking to repeat the putsch of 1987 when they collaborated on a pre-election agenda, to be pushed through after the election regardless of public wishes. In that case, experience in establishing “free schools” would be invaluable. It will all be revealed in the fullness of time.
PPTA thanks Karen Sewell for her public service and wishes her well in her retirement
On the subject of comings and goings, I want to record PPTA’s thanks for the work Karen Sewell has done for education, in the ministry, NZQA, the Education Review Office and the classroom. She has always been one to act with integrity, principle, good humour and dignity. We wish her well in her retirement.
More information about our incoming Secretary for Education Lesley Longstone:
Appointment of Chief Executive and Secretary for Education
SSC Website, 19 July 2011
The State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie, today announced the appointment of Lesley Longstone to the position of Chief Executive and Secretary for Education, Ministry of Education.
New CEO of the education ministry
01 Sep 11 | NZ Education Review,
DAVID CRAIG interviews Lesley Longstone, who will take up her appointment as chief executive and Secretary of Education in early November.
New head impressed by Kiwi ‘frankness' (pdf - see page 14)
Lesley Longstone from the UK has been appointed to head our Ministry of Education.
She tells EA why she’s so excited about the job ministry of education.
Free Schools Conference: Lesley Longstone and Dr Elizabeth Sidwell speeches
January 2011
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