ACT campaigning to transform 10,000 lives

"ACT is campaigning to transform 10,000 lives for the better, by opening up education for those who’ve found the school door shut. Charter schools show children that education can be different, and we are campaigning to open up the possibility charter schools deliver for more children,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“Charter schools are one of the clearest success stories of this Government’s education reforms. When schools are given greater freedom to innovate and respond to the needs of their students, families benefit and students thrive.

“Since the first charter schools opened last February, growth has been exponential. With only 215 students on day one, today there are 2,117. The Charter School agency forecasts that there will be nearly 6,000 students by next September. Early results are encouraging too, with most schools meeting attendance and achievement targets, and all schools teaching Years 3–10 meeting their mathematics achievement threshold.

“Charter schools are showing children that school can be different, and helping students from all walks of life. There are schools catering for high performance athletes, for students with autism, schools focused on Pacific culture, and teaching the International Baccalaureate in French. One school is online, while another is part of a successful Australian chain. There is no one type of charter school for one type of student, and that is the point.

“That makes Chris Hipkins’ pledge to abolish charter schools even harder to understand. Families have deliberately chosen to move outside the traditional system because it was not meeting their needs. Hipkins is saying Labour would force them back in.

“Hipkins is putting union interests ahead of student outcomes. The education unions have opposed charter schools from day one because they sit outside collective agreements, but parents care about results, not union politics.

“I’ve challenged Hipkins to visit these charter schools and tell the students directly why he wants to take away their education. He won’t do that. That’s why charter schools will keep growing. The idea that students can learn in a way that works for them is stronger than his cynical politics.

“ACT will not only protect charter schools from Labour's attempts to shut them down, we will expand them so that thousands more young New Zealanders can benefit. ACT will:

• Set a target of 10,000 student enrolments by the end of 2029, with annual reporting on progress.

• Increase the conversion of suitable state and state-integrated schools into charter schools, while removing unnecessary barriers relating to employment, property and funding.

• New charter schools will be encouraged where there is sufficient demand and a sufficient sponsor, with the goal for there to be a charter school option in every major town in New Zealand.

• Funding for growth will be managed transparently through existing Vote Education appropriations.

• Retain strong performance standards for attendance, achievement, financial management, and student wellbeing.

“Charter schools cost less to establish than equivalent state schools, and are accountable to deliver results – they can be shut down if they don’t.

“By the end of 2029, more families will have the freedom to choose a school that works for their child, more educators will have the flexibility to innovate, and more young New Zealanders will have the opportunity to succeed.”