The Pigeonhole

It is interesting that MoE officials have turned to slogans in an effort to sell National Standards.

This is no doubt a response to the dearth of data supporting such a programme.

The current slogan is “The kids can’t wait” As with all good advertising, the sentence is never completed.

I doubt very much that the kids really can’t wait for National Standards. The students I have asked give the following answers-Christmas, Easter, to get my own room, for my big sister to leave home, for school holidays, playtime, a new bike, breakfast, shoes, etc. Not one mentioned National Standards.

Now it would be humorous if it were not so tragic.

The kids in NZ schools can’t wait for smaller classes, access to specialist teachers in reading, writing and maths, the NZC.

They also can’t wait for an end to government policies that have seen the gap between the rich and poor grow faster than other OECD countries. And they can’t wait for a Minister of Education to have the moral courage and educational purpose to strive for excellence and equity.

Upon reflection the MoE are right-“the kids can’t wait”