School staff vote 'no confidence' in Hekia Parata

Email
Print

'No confidence' vote at Chch rally

3News NZ

(Photo: Thomas Mead/3 News)

(Photo: Thomas Mead/3 News)

More than 1000 teachers, parents and principals have taken part in a protest against school closures Christchurch.

The march was spearheaded by the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) and organisers say the event is an effort to remind the Ministry of Education that school communities matter.   

The crowd delivered a vote of no confidence in Ms Parata's record as Education Minister, after her proposed shake-up of Christchurch schools.

Traffic and trains in Christchurch have been brought to a standstill as the sign-waving rallyers make their way from the arena to the Ministry of Education’s Christchurch offices.

RadioLIVE reporter Emily Cooper says the feeling amongst the crowd is one of anger.

“Anger at the Government for the way the whole situation has been handled”.

The group are chanting “Heck no, she must go!” and Michael Jackson’s ‘They don’t really care about us’ is being played.

Even staff from schools who aren’t facing closure have attended in support of communities who are losing their schools.

3 News

Post a Comment

Before commenting, please take the time to read our moderation guide


(Won't be published)



Comments

24/02/2013 11:33:03 a.m.

iain wrote:

These people should take a lesson from a bright little town in the North called Moerewa.

Just don't close your school no matter what the "Hammer" says.

Simple really.

21/02/2013 7:33:16 a.m.

katubaldy wrote:

Keep your blinkers on Jim, the unions were involved so it can't possibly be real...wha? You really think the affected teachers and parents needed coaxing from the unions to get out and protest after the cynical callous way they've been treated by this inept govt? They just had their futures crushed. People should just 'put up or shut up' ain't how a healthy democracy works and isn't going to get those votes next year either. They should stop listening to 'them' and start listening more to 'us'...? That's a comically skewed take on the situation. Or are you one of the few NZers left with confidence in the worst minister of education we've had in years? The culprits here are National, Joe Key and the Hammer bro... not past Labour admins, (yawn...that excuse is getting tired) or the unions.

20/02/2013 10:09:59 p.m.

Chris wrote:

Schools are part of communities. When schools are shut down or are merged the community feels an emotional loss and as such acts in an emotional manner. While I appreciate this, it really irks me when I see small children marching for a cause which they don't really understand. Parents who drag their kids along to perpetuate their views should really think twice. Additionally, I know it is a sticky situation for the minister (I am a labour supporter), but she hasn't done herself any favors by changing expectations around timing, being dismissive of novopay debacle..and dear I say suggesting increasing class sizes. All of which have justifications, but have they really given due consideration to alternative solutions?? Regardless of whether people are right or left wing, I think most (excepting those that just think teachers are moaners - how would you respond in this situation?) can sympathise for teachers and their general frustrations. As such the confidence in the minister from the wider public will be decreasing as well and will continue to do so until she does something that actually works.

20/02/2013 1:56:02 p.m.

Jim Seaview wrote:

So the Labour / Union rent a crowd turned up for a march spearheaded by the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) protesting about school closures in Christchurch. Where were these protesters when during Labours last 9 years in Govt they only managed to close 261 schools and there were no damage from earthquakes in the mix. Minister Parata and the MOE have made the decisions, the teachers should just accept them, get on with it and stop listening to the Labour Party & their Unions or the Green party who are both good at keeping the political stew from burning with their continual stirring, which they excel at. I have no confidence in the way this march was organised or in the politically biased organisers.

20/02/2013 12:09:09 a.m.

Max wrote:

@ALISON: But it looks like the country is losing confidence with BOTH Key and Parata!

19/02/2013 8:22:11 p.m.

alison wrote:

Seems the only one with any confidence in this woman is John Key.

19/02/2013 5:38:21 p.m.

Chris wrote:

This was a Labour / Union political rally with the main speaker being Chris Hipkiss, education minister from Labour, stirring it up and waving the red flag, so really it was moronic and pointless. More moaning and whinging from the left.