Yang JianDr JIAN YANG (National): The previous speaker Chris Hipkins mentioned that there were some good points and good ideas in the Education (Update) Amendment Bill and this side of the House will engage with the member and with members on the other side during the committee stage to further strengthen the bill. The Education Act 1989 is 27 years old and needs to be updated. The Act focuses on how the education system or schools are run instead of on student achievement. We want to shift the focus of the Act from its concentration on schooling and compliance to raising student achievement. We believe that the Act should clearly say what is expected of boards and allow the Government to set out a statement of national priorities. We believe that the education system needs to be more flexible innovative and responsive to cater to the needs of students who are not currently well served. We need to encourage more cooperation between schools early learning and tertiary providers.It has been said before in this Chamber that education is a huge responsibility for any Government. Students are our future citizens and future workers. In that sense they are the future of the country. National is focusing on improving performance in the schooling system to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. The National-led Government has not only invested heavily in education since it came into Government in 2008; it has also made a huge effort to ensure we have a modern education system that reflects New Zealand now and in the future. This is the most significant update to New Zealand education in nearly 30 years. It is about enabling schools and early childhood centres to provide a flexible 21st century education focused on the achievement of every young New Zealander. The current Education Act is focused on administration and compliance with schools. It is not conducive for schools to make innovative changes to suit a 21st century education. We do not think that is right so that is why we are making changes. For the first time early childhood education providers and schools will have clear objectives with clear accountabilities. The bill will support the creation of a more flexible and innovative education system. In terms of encouraging cooperation between schools across the country more than 1200 schools and 18 early childhood education centres have now formed communities of learning and will work together to raise student achievement. More than half of our schools are now supporting more than 410000 Kiwi kids. This bill allows members of communities of learning to formalise agreements. This bill also increases the accountability and reporting in the education system. We want boards to know what is expected and required of them and for them to be focused on making sure their schools deliver the best teaching opportunities and outcomes for their students. A key proposal that will affect parents is the option for schools to enrol children in the term nearest their fifth birthday. The previous speaker mentioned that if it was too early he might not support it. But this one is just up to 8 weeks. Some schools have told us that they think it would be less disruptive for all students and would enable a smoother transition for new students to have new entrants able to start each term instead of on their birthday. Under this bill the earliest that children could start school is up to 8 weeks before they turn 5 although parents can still delay their child starting school until their sixth birthday. I commend the bill to the House.