Miseducation
Mike's imagination, Erica's haste, and a bridge to cross.
I wrote these words (I wrote these words)
For everyone who struggles in their youth
('Bout to do this one for the youth, uh)
Who won't accept deception instead of what is truth
(Gotta know the truth, y'all)
It seems we lose the game
Before we even start to play
(This not our game, uh, uh-uh)
Who made these rules? (Who made these rules?)
We're so confused (we're so confused)
Easily led astray
Let me tell ya that
Songwriters: Lauryn Hill.
Before we begin, please keep in mind that any mock criticisms of Labour in this newsletter are with tongue firmly in cheek.
A singular cheek, that is, not between cheeks, which is where Mike Hosking keeps his tongue while discussing the National Party…
A few pennies short of a quid.
This week, Mike Hosking interviewed his typewriter and concluded that public support for teachers is declining. He speculated that teachers want to get on with teaching and that these ongoing strikes are the union’s fault.
In his article, which lacks any evidence, rationale, or views beyond those of the almighty Mike, Hosking says:
“It seems to me we have got to a point where no small amount of energy, money, and change has been put into education, and between that and the pay, it’s not a bad deal.
Yes, it's challenging, given kids and their issues. Yes, you'd like more specialist teachers, or non-contact time, or whatever, but negotiations are quin pro quo.”
Really?
Cos it seems to me that “no small amount” of money has been put into roads, helicopters, tax cuts for landlords, and the exorbitant pay packets of right-wing radio puppets to pump out their turgid reckonings and sell the National Party.
On the other hand, teachers work too hard for not enough money, without the support they need.
But heck, what would I know? I’m not the almighty Mike.
As for “quin pro quo”, I’m not sure what that is, but I reckon a bit more education would’ve helped Hosking become the full quid.
He continues:
“Is it the unions that are wrecking this? Are they really the impediment? Do most teachers just want to get on with it?”
I don’t know, Mike. Have you considered asking someone, like maybe a teacher? Seems like you’re just making things up based on how you’d like them to be.
Mike concludes:
“We seem at a place where the public support is most certainly not what it was for the teachers' plight, and might just be tipping against them.”
Based on what? How about we rephrase that last sentence to make it seem more feasible, with at least polls to back up the suppositions.
How about this:
“We seem at a place where the public support is most certainly not what it was for the government, and might just be tipping against them.” But you wouldn’t say that, would you, Mike? The radio host shouldn’t criticise the soap powder they’re selling.
#BREAKING NEWS
Just as I was about to send this out, news came from RNZ that suggested Mr Hosking might be speaking from somewhere not known for producing knowledge, and I don’t mean Newstalk ZB:
“Secondary teachers will strike next week after rejecting an improved pay offer.
The Post Primary Teachers' Association confirmed its members voted overwhelmingly to reject the latest offer from the government and for a partial strike from next Monday to Thursday.”
How dare she listen?
Still on Education, you might remember the fuss a month ago when it was revealed that “Willow-Jean Prime rejected Education Minister Erica Stanford's offers to work with her on changes to NCEA and curricula.”
Prime’s excuse for declining the invitation, which was presented as a scandal, even requiring a telling off from Chippy, was, she said, “It was really important to me to understand from the sector what the issues are with NCEA and other things, and what the potential solutions to that are before engaging with the minister.”
Such audacity. Seeking feedback and understanding the issues before rushing to a conclusion is clearly inconsistent with this government’s approach.
Prime kept digging, “I wanted to engage with experts. I wanted to talk widely in the sector, so not take something I had heard from one conversation in one group and run off to the minister's office and, you know, make some claims about something. So I have spent a lot of time engaging with the sector so that I am informed.”
I tell you, though, if I were working in the sector, I’d want a minister who sought to understand the issues rather than throwing the baby out with the bathwater, but what do I know? I’m not Erica Stanford.
In any case, this week Willow-Jean Prime did meet with the Minister and the NZ Herald wasn’t going to pass up on the opportunity to smack-talk the rival soap powder…
Nice headline, NZ Herald. Finally, a meeting, but still no position, those Labour lot, eh?
Jamie Ensor writes (paywalled content):
“Labour’s Willow-Jean Prime has finally met with Education Minister Erica Stanford to discuss the proposed NCEA changes, but she’s still unable to say whether her party will support the Government’s approach.”
Are you getting the message yet? Labour = Bad.
It’s understood Stanford asked Prime during the meeting for Labour’s position on elements of the change programme, but the Labour MP wouldn’t say, instead relaying what she was hearing from the education community.
There she goes again, focusing on what she is hearing from the education community. Are you outraged?
Not only does Willow-Jean want to listen, but she wants more time to do so. During the meeting, Prime asked Stanford to extend the consultation period to have “more time to work with the sector”.
“I believe she does not want to do that,” Prime said, raising concern that the changes were being “rushed for political expediency over ensuring that we get this right”.
“You can see it’s causing a lot of division. More and more, we are hearing from people who have concerns about what’s being proposed, the fact they don’t have the information they need.”
Come on, people, what are we here for?
To understand and address the current issues or work towards a timeframe based on political rather than educational objectives?
By the way, the answer is “B”, only those Labour losers want option “A”, oh and possibly Erica, but she’s certainly not saying.
I appreciate that in an ideal world, something as crucial as this ought to be non-partisan, but with the lack of time to fully understand the issues and replace where necessary, then the role of the opposition is to challenge a rushed solution that doesn’t consider the views of those working in the sector.
March The Bridge.
On to something different…
We’ve seen huge marches overseas in support of the Palestinian people and opposing Israel’s actions against them, including over the Sydney Harbour Bridge. Well, tomorrow is Auckland’s turn.
If you’re marching, keep in mind that it looks like there will be light rain and quite a bit of wind, so bring something to keep you warm and dry.
Here is the full speech that Chlöe Swarbrick gave when she was kicked out of parliament four weeks ago. You might have seen a snippet on the news, but it’s worth watching the whole clip.
My mention of the Greens is not a criticism of any other party, but as a longtime member, I feel proud of their consistent stance against what is happening in Gaza, and in particular the championing of that cause by Chlöe Swarbrick.
For those interested, there is a gathering of Green Party supporters and MPs at Onepoto Domain from 9 am (look out for the Green flag) and after the march at Victoria Park from 11 am.
In the words of Marama, “Join local Palestinian leaders and organisers, myself and other Green MPs as we tautoko the mahi of Aotearoa for Palestine – a Palestinian and tangata whenua led kaupapa.”
Of course, you don’t need to be a Greenie or a Leftie to march across the bridge, just someone who cares about human rights.
I very much hope that is not a partisan position.
Ngā mihi,
Nick.
To end today, here’s Everything Is Everything from the album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill.
Much consternation in this household after hearing that Art History might be removed from the senior curriculum. Mr 20 even wrote to the minister to tell them how much it meant to them, first time I can recall that. With the uncertain vocational future for young people Art History seems like a great way to teach analytical skills to those who prefer to learn more visually. More details here: https://sway.cloud.microsoft/aZfEZWannIl33gUd?ref=email
Chloe is so good. And the bias of Brownlee is so obvious. Thank you for posting that video,