PPTA campaign backfires: Unions’ demands met by charter schools

ACT is again challenging teacher unions to reverse their stance on charter schools, as the PPTA calls for one school counsellor for every 400 students – something charter schools can offer.

“There is a sad irony to the PPTA’s campaign to redirect funding from charter schools to school counsellors in the state system,” says ACT Education spokesperson Laura McClure. “State schools can’t afford counsellors because they don’t have freedom to prioritise their spending. Charter schools do.

“Ideas to lift attendance are welcome, no matter where they come from. More counsellors could help for some students.

“Next week the PPTA will have to eat its hat. ACT is aware of a new charter school, yet to be announced, which answers PPTA’s call. The beauty of the charter school model is that it allows schools and communities, who know best, to identify what students need. They then can use their flexible funding to offer education which fills those gaps.

“The PPTA has already changed its constitution to allow membership of teachers who work in charter schools. And just last week NZEI called for a teacher aide in every classroom, something charter schools can already do, such as what happens at Mastery School in Christchurch.

“After a hat-trick of own goals, the unions have accidentally won the argument for charter schools. If they had any shame, they’d reverse their stance and support the charter school model.”