Time called on 15-year failed learning experiment

“The expensive and reckless experiment on children of ‘Modern Learning Environments’ has finally had time called on it, 15 years after National introduced it,” says ACT Leader David Seymour.

“National Education Minister Anne Tolley introduced the policy in 2011, despite there being no data or evidence to support the policy. In 2012 National’s Hekia Parata put aside $1 billion to create open-plan classrooms, saying at the time "we are also doing a lot to invest in 21st century learning environments. This includes setting aside the first $1 billion from the Future Investment Fund to create modern learning environments." That was after the 2011 School Property Strategy put Modern Learning Environments front and centre in Government policy.

“Successive Education Ministers simply stood by and watched while zealots at the Ministry experimented with children’s futures. ACT was the only political party to consistently oppose the policy, and it has taken ACT in Government to finally get rid of it.

“Education should be about a knowledgeable adult standing in front of one class of students, transferring valuable knowledge from one generation to the next. It's not about three teachers in a massive barn like environment with noise and distraction that is particularly hard on some students.

“This is yet another area where ACT has driven the change.

“ACT alone opposed Jacinda’s gun laws. In Government with ACT, we’ve voted to replace them.

“ACT alone opposed the Zero Carbon Act. Now with ACT we’ve voted to halve the methane targets so farmers can keep farming without significant change.

“ACT alone opposed earthquake strengthening laws that cost tens of billions for no benefit, now with ACT we’ve reversed them.

“After 35 years of Governments defending the RMA, with ACT we’re replacing it with new laws based on property rights.

“This episode shows the danger of educational fads, and why politicians and political parties must be consistent in facing down bad policy from the bureaucracy, while promoting good policy that unlocks New Zealand's potential.”