|
Story time with the minister |
You just have to be happy with a lot less
PPTA News December 2009, p. 8
PPTA executive members could be forgiven for being a little bemused when, instead of a prepared speech, the education minister chose to read them a children’s book.
But when Anne Tolley told the November executive meeting the moral of the story, The short and incredibly happy life of Riley, was “you have to be happy with a lot less” reactions at the table turned from puzzlement to concern – and in some cases complete outrage.
Like the book’s central character, Riley the rat, Tolley encouraged teachers to “think about the good things that we have in this country and be happy with what we’ve got.”
Despite this ringing alarm bells for some, Tolley insisted it was “hugely important” to keep dialogue open with positive industrial relations next year.
PPTA junior vice president Jill Gray questioned whether Tolley was actually in the right party, with her suggestion that a simpler life should be had by all.
“That would seem to differ from the traditional market-based capitalism espoused by the National party … and certainly doesn’t gel with the messages schools receive every day to lift productivity and do more with fewer resources,” she said.
She did however hope that PPTA could have a useful dialogue with the Ministry of Education on issues of concern to teachers, a feeling that the minister appeared to echo.
“There will be a number of changes (such as trades academies and the Youth Guarantee) but I want to work on solving the issues together," Toley said.
Tolley said she valued the work teachers did enormously, but also spoke of the pressures on the education budget with young people staying in school longer due to the recession.
Tolley also appeared to be open to discussion on the fraught Tomorrow’s Schools governance system. She would like to get PPTA’s opinion about what should be run by a central organisation and what should be left for schools to manage for themselves.
“It’s a good discussion for us to have,” she said.
PPTA president Kate Gainsford joined Jill in thanking the minister for taking the time to open up a dialogue with executive. Both looked forward to meaningful and coherent discussions with Tolley and hope a positive working relationship can be kept up in 2010.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
Show/hide comment form