By Tova O'Brien
The Prime Minister is refusing to apologise to parents and teachers over the Government's botched education reforms.
John Key admits it made a mistake, but that's as far he'll go.
Two weeks after the Government lined up education for funding cuts, it reneged. But it was two weeks of stress and anxiety for teachers and parents.
“I think that they caused the teachers and the head teachers a lot of stress that was unnecessary,” says parent Kirsty Stewart.
For that, parents and teachers are calling for an apology.
“In terms of how long it took for that too, I think there is some misleading information being put out there,” says NZEI Union president Ian Leckie. “If the Government wishes to extend an apology I think it would be quite appropriate.”
The Ministry of Education and its minister spearheaded the reforms, but all of Cabinet approved them.
“Cabinet needs to take responsibility,” says John Key.
Usually when someone makes a mistake, especially one which causes such a stir, it's followed by "I’m sorry".
So will John Key say it?
“No,” says the Prime Minister. “But I think parents would see very closely that the Government has listened.”
Cabinet signed off the education reforms before knowing all the details and without fully considering the repercussions.
The Government is at most willing to own that mistake.
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