Luxton JoEDUCATION (NATIONAL EDUCATION AND LEARNING PRIORITIES) AMENDMENT BILLSecond ReadingJO LUXTON (Labour) on behalf of Jan Tinetti: I move That the Education (National Education and Learning Priorities) Amendment Bill be now read a second time.I'm delighted to present this bill with changes for a second reading after the select committee process. I would like to thank the members of the Education and Workforce Committee for their consideration of this bill. This bill complements the wonderful work that this Government is doing by prioritising the rebuilding of New Zealand's education system after nine years of neglect under the last Government. The bill originally sought to amend the Education Act 1989 to enable statements about the diversity of education provision to be included in the statement of National Education and Learning Priorities. The amendments proposed in the bill aimed to align the statement of National Education and Learning Priorities more closely with the New Zealand Curriculum. The statement of National Education and Learning Priorities or NELP sets high-level priorities to guide planning for the early childhood and compulsory sectors.The bill as introduced proposed substantial changes to section 1A of the Act through clause 4(2) (3) and (4). However the member in charge of the bill wrote to the committee on 19 June 2018 asking to remove these provisions from the bill. Jan Tinetti said she felt that in light of feedback and plans the Government has signalled any changes to the enduring objectives in section 1A ought to take into account findings from the Government's Education Conversation | Kōrero Mātauranga. This Education Conversation is part of this Government's ambitious work programme for the education portfolio. An enduring long-term vision for education in Aotearoa New Zealand is at the core of the work programme and will feed into all parts of the work to meet the needs of all learners no matter who they are or where they come from. The work programme is made up of big reviews of parts of the system medium-term strategies to map out priorities and actions over the next three or more years and some key initiatives for things to get under way now.I've spoken to people who have been involved in this conversation and they are grateful for the opportunity for input—exactly what this bill now does through identifying groups who must be consulted on. It's important that people have the opportunity to have their say and contribute to the plans that we have going forward in the educational space. I think a really good sign of leadership from our Minister of Education is not telling people what to do but actually taking people along with him allowing them to contribute and having them buy into the priorities going forward. Jan Tinetti's letter to the Education and Workforce Committee also requested the removal of clause 4(7) which would have made the statement of National Education and Learning Priorities a disallowable instrument. With such an ambitious and forward-thinking work plan in education and after listening to submitters the committee recommended by majority to accept both of Jan Tinetti's proposals and has removed the relevant subclauses.Consultation on the statement of National Education and Learning Priorities with the relevant stakeholders is really important. Currently legislation states that the Minister must at a minimum consult with stakeholders in the early childhood and compulsory education sectors. The changes in this bill will ensure that the Minister will consult widely on the statement of National Education and Learning Priorities and identify a wide range of groups the Minister must consult with.Clause 4(5) inserting new section 1A(4A) sets out the stakeholders the Minister must make reasonable efforts to consult. The select committee recommended by majority a number of changes to the list to include young people and to replace references to national representative organisations" with "national bodies representing the interests of" specified stakeholders. We recommended by majority inserting subsection (4A)(g) to (i) so that consultation would include national bodies representing the disability community support staff in schools and early childhood services Māori education organisations Pacific education organisations proprietors of State integrated schools and national bodies with a particular role regarding the character of designated character schools.During submissions the select committee heard from a number of organisations who agreed with the changes to widely consult as outlined in this bill. Submitters welcomed the direction of consulting with young people in this process and there was general agreement that it was heartening to see children and young people as the first group the Minister must consult with in the development of the NELP. The Children's Commissioner Judge Andrew Becroft stated that there has been a previous reluctance to hear from children and that future and similar provisions should become the norm. He stated that "Hearing from and incorporating the views of children and young people deliver better and more robust decisions … We support the intention to create a more equitable system that supports children to develop to their full potential" and that ensures children and young people deliver better and more robust decisions. Other submitters endorsed these sentiments stating that the voices of young people are essential when developing the law.As a teacher I have long known the power of involving children in their learning pathway by having a voice in their own learning. When children have a voice and a choice in their learning they engage more and learning outcomes are met. In issuing the statement of National Education and Learning Priorities the select committee recommended by majority inserting clause 4(1AAA) to make it clear in new section 1A(1) that the notice published in the Gazette may either contain the statement in full or describe the statement in general terms and indicate where the full text can be obtained.For the commencement in clause 2 the select committee recommended by majority changing the bill's commencement date. As introduced the bill would come into force—ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Adrian Rurawhe): Sorry to interrupt the member but it has come time for me to leave the Chair for the dinner break.Sitting suspended from 6 p.m. to 7.30 p.m.JO LUXTON: As I was saying just before the dinner break talking about the commencement date in clause 2 the select committee recommended by majority changing the bill's commencement date. As introduced the bill would come into force three months after it receives the Royal assent. However they recommended by majority that it come into force on the day after the date on which it receives the Royal assent. With such in-depth consideration of the bill by the select committee it is disappointing to see that the Opposition members do not support it. Contrary to their view this bill has more than minor changes as evidenced by the enthusiasm of the majority of submitters. This bill recognises the importance of giving a voice to children and young people and agencies in the process of developing the important National Education and Learning Priorities. I am proud of this bill and I applaud the member Jan Tinetti for using her vast experience in education to work on strengthening this important area of legislation. I have great pleasure in commending this bill to the House. Kia ora."