PPTA

Future Investment Fund an irresponsible bribe

3 November, 2011

PPTA says National’s proposal to use funds from the sale of state assets for a spend-up in education is irresponsible and unjustified.

“Funds tagged to be spent on schools’ infrastructure and the broadband network for learning need to happen anyway, but are being used as the scapegoat to sweeten asset sales,” said PPTA president Robin Duff.

“The problem with our education infrastructure is it’s not well managed. Political parties need a coherent plan for education. Politicians behave like drunken sailors with taxpayer money by building new schools and neglecting those in disrepair,” he said.

Duff said the job of looking after New Zealand’s biggest asset – schools, had been left to the good intentions of parent volunteers on boards of trustees.

‘It’s taken over 20 years for politicians to notice the mammoth school maintenance bill about to land on the taxpayer.”

Duff said New Zealand needs politicians who are prepared to follow their own advice and manage the school network in a rational and fiscally responsible way.

PPTA calls for political consensus in education policy, like in Finland where the focus is on schools working together. School leaders and teachers work closely with a cross-section of politicians.

“In Finland politicians recognise that putting the strategic educational needs of the country before their own party interests produces great results,” said Robin Duff.

End the ping-pong in education