Independent Schools: Providing Real Choice in Education

Good afternoon Ladies and Gentlemen. Thank you for the invitation, Deborah, to speak to your CEO Day today.

It's a pleasure to be here in my new capacity as Associate Minister of Education, and I'm particularly appreciative of the opportunity to talk to you about the direction and future of independent schools. Having so many principals in one place at one time makes my job of meeting you all so much easier.

It's always difficult to keep a perspective that learns from - but isn't dominated by - one's own experiences. When I contemplate our education system, it is hard not to be influenced by my role as a parent. None of my five children are the same and, I suspect, most parents would say the same of their offspring. It follows then that the way they approach life, deal with situations, and learn does not fit neatly into a 'one size fits all' box.

In our house we've had a range of school experiences - some at State schools, and some at independent schools. At the moment we seem to have the balance about right - all our children are happy and learning. But it hasn't always been plain sailing, and we've changed schools on two occasions when the situation dictated. We were in the fortunate position of being able to afford to do so - but for too many Kiwi kids this just isn't an option.

The greatest challenge for the incoming government is the worsening economic climate we are facing. No one is immune - especially not schools that rely on fee-paying students while competing with a taxpayer-funded free service. You are aware, of course, that there has been much recent discussion in the media about a number of independent schools exploring the option of integration. My fear for these schools is that, through tougher economic times, this would mean losing their autonomy and special character.

On March 2, the 'Sunday Star-Times' quoted PPTA president Kate Gainsford as saying she was furious that private schools are turning to the Government for help. She said that any private schools allowed to integrate will effectively be taking cash from students at State schools and were looking for a "bailout for private business" and a subsidy for wealthy parents.

Such comments are unfortunate in their inaccuracy.

On March 15, she stated on Chris Laidlaw's National Radio programme that there are declining numbers of students attending independent schools. Figures available from the Ministry of Education indicate that the number of students in independent schools has increased from 3.3 percent of all school students in 2000, to 4.1 percent of all school students in 2008. While not a large figure, there is specific data showing that independent school pupil numbers are not declining. Ms Gainsford is entitled to an opinion but her inaccurate portrayal of the facts doesn't help her cause.

Far from "stealing" from the State sector, we know that parents who send their children to an independent school are helping to alleviate the burden on the State education system. This is not a case of taking money from Peter to pay Paul.

Further, I believe, independent schools set a benchmark - for quality, efficiency and cost effectiveness - something the Government should emulate in some public sector institutions. When parents have to stump up with cash, the quality of education has to be good or they will go elsewhere. Also forgotten is that the parents of your pupils actually pay for their children's education twice: once through their taxes, and again when they cover the cost of choosing the right school for their child.

In April last year, Education Minister Anne Tolley - as National Education Spokesperson - said:

"Parents want choice in education. Their children deserve educational diversity with quality formal qualifications that meet a high standard. Our children should be at the centre of our education policy - not some old-fashioned ideology".

I couldn't agree more.

Eight days after last November's election National and ACT signed a Confidence & Supply agreement. We noted, in that document, that National has stated it will:

"work, over time, to increase the education choices available to parents and pupils so families have more freedom to select schooling options that best meet the individual needs of their children."

ACT also favours greater choice and competition in education and I'm delighted to be in a position now to do something about it.

During the last election campaign, National and ACT made promises about how we would each - as a Government - help independent schools. I would like to take a moment to refresh your memories about just what those promises entailed.

National campaigned to provide increased funding to independent schools. It promised to raise education standards, reduce bureaucracy, and provide choice for parents. It also pledged to increase funding for independent schools - I'll come back to that in a moment.

Since its inception ACT has promoted school choice and, in the 2008 election, we campaigned on the proposal of a scholarship for every student. The idea is to move the funding choice from Government to the parent and child. This would mean that parents have the ability to choose their child's school. For some this might be a State school that isn't the closest to their home; for others it might be an independent school that previously may have been unaffordable.

As Minister of Consumer Affairs, ensuring that consumers can make informed choices is a core role. It would be remiss of me not to extend that principle to education consumers.

During the election campaign, National and ACT also promised to reduce red tape and cut bureaucracy in order to free up business and grow the economy. Like so many others, your businesses risk becoming hamstrung by excessive regulation and compliance requirements.

Independent schools already enjoy some freedom from Government regulation, and I'd like to see this extended. It is very important that you are able to focus more on the needs of your students and their parents, rather than on the demands of Government.

The Government has laid out a plan to improve many aspects of the education system, and work is already well underway.

This plan includes ensuring that all children succeed in school; that parents know, in plain language, how well their child is doing; and national standards for literacy and numeracy. The NCEA Standards Review is part of a package to ensure consistency in credits and grades, and will ensure that moderation of assessments is effective and fair.

No doubt, you already know of the Government's commitment to provide an additional $10 million of funding for independent schools. I am well aware that this additional funding is not a silver bullet for the many issues confronting the viability of your schools in the current economic climate.

However, I believe that economic challenges present opportunities for independent schools to lead the way. This is an ideal time for educational innovation and cost-effectiveness. It is also a time for rationalisation and, perhaps, to delay major capital expenditure projects until conditions improve.

I would like now to touch on the Law Commission's review of independent schools regulation. According to President Sir Geoffrey Palmer:

"the law concerning the regulation of independent schools has never been paid any systematic attention and much of the reasoning for the original provisions is lost in the mists of time".

He has also stated that the Law Commission:

"does not think there is any need for great or significant change."

He goes on to say, however, that "it is an area that requires some tidying up".

It's not clear what he means by "tidying up" but, no doubt, you will all have views on this. I encourage you to make a submission before they close this Friday, to ensure that your views and ideas are recorded.

Many of you may be wondering what the future will hold under a new Government, and what it means to have an Associate Minister of Education from the ACT Party.

As part the National-ACT Confidence & Supply Agreement, it was agreed that an inter-Party working group would be established to consider options for increasing parental and student choice in education.

I have absolutely no intention of sitting behind my desk reading reports in order to form a distant and remote perspective of the independent school sector.

From experience I know that there is no better way to learn and understand than by seeing, doing, and talking to the people involved. Viewing first-hand the environment in which you work and discussing issues face-to-face is the best way to gain an insight into the issues facing your sector.

I hope to visit as many of your schools as possible over the next two-and-a-half years. I look forward to meeting you on your own turf with the opportunity to talk with your staff, pupils and parents and to see for myself the quality education that I know you are delivering.

Again I wish to thank you for today's invitation. I hope you enjoy the rest of your CEO day.