We can find many reasons to be concerned at the potential for changes in the way education might, or might not be, organised in the future. These systemic changes will be expected to put the child at the centre and to raise achievement. Anyone involved in education would support this goal because everyone I know involved in teaching and learning in New Zealand wants to make a difference for the children in their class. System change has been made before and people have become excited by the results of some of the shifts in practice that such change brings. Some such shifts bring opportunities for Boards and communities be more engaged in decision making locally.

The great danger in system change is that it can avoid addressing the most important area that makes a difference in schools. It is teachers who bring passion and commitment to their work that make the biggest difference. Systems play with the operation of schools but teachers engage with the people who matter. Any government that wants to bring about a change in the outcomes for large sections of our school population should look to recruit, train and retain the best and brightest of our young people to be teachers. It’s not rocket science – it’s common sense.  We need to encourage our young people to take up the exciting vocation of teaching.

Blessings to you all,

Paul Ferris, CEO