Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Education (National Standards) Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
Laban Luamanuvao Winnie: Education (National Standards) Amendment Bill — In Committee Third Reading 
[Volume:651;Page:638] 
Hon LUAMANUVAO WINNIE LABAN (Labour—Mana) 
: 
 Mr Chair kia ora talofa lava and warm Pacific greetings. During the election campaign in the Mana electorate an education forum was held at the Whitireia Community Polytechnic in Porirua. Representatives from the early childhood primary and secondary education sectors attended. Most political parties including National were represented at that forum and heard the strong voice and the views of the education sector. The educators spoke with one voice. They said that there had been a lot of education reforms but now they had got it right. They said that the education system is not broken so we need not fix it—if it ain’t broke do not fix it. Teacher after teacher and principal after principal stood up and emphasised that fact. As research has proven we New Zealanders have a world-class education system. The National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) despite early problems is now working and is very successful. The educators were all against National’s policies to introduce more tests and the one-size-fits-all approach disguised as the Education (National Standards) Amendment Bill crusading for numeracy and literacy. “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it.” they said. 
The testing regime as proposed by National will lead to winners and losers. It will lead to elite schools and disadvantaged schools. It will lead to haves and have-nots. The current education system introduced by the Labour-led Government over the last 9 years has been reducing inequalities in education building inclusion and ensuring that all of our children—Maori Pacific Pakeha Asian and all the other cultures—have the educational opportunities to reach their potential. That was the vision of Peter Fraser and Clarence Beeby. Every person whether rich or poor or from town or country has a right as a citizen to an education that will allow that person to fulfil his or her potential. Their vision was implemented by Helen Clark and Michael Cullen and now under the leadership of Phil Goff Annette King our Labour team will continue that vision. We will shed light on the Government’s real agenda and we will hold it to account. 
I have visited every early childhood centre and every school in my electorate and have attended prize-givings. I have talked to and I have listened to principals teachers support staff boards of trustees parents students and members of our communities. There is a deep sense of pride as a result of Labour’s massive investment in education and in the outcomes. The proof is shown with most of our schools performing extremely well and New Zealand is already a world-class leader in literacy participation numeracy retention and achievement. This manifests itself in the way our children from schools in Porirua East like Cannons Creek School walk tall. They have worked hard and they have all the support in terms of world-class teachers and support from schools families and communities to achieve. I also add that all the support from Labour with 20 hours’ free early childhood education numeracy and literacy support home-school participation the Home Interaction Programme for Parents and Youngsters Computers in Homes Gateway apprenticeships the Youth Enterprise scheme and the emphasis on Maori and Pacific preschools has led to wonderful results. And our parents are in work they are in affordable housing and they are getting Working for Families and cheaper health which all leads to better education outcomes and pride in our children. That is what I want to emphasise. 
With regard to Pasifika children we are above the national average in terms of leading level 2 in NCEA examinations. We have increased numbers in tertiary education. Our graduation levels have gone up. Yes there is room for improvement but it is always there and we are committed to that. The education system ain’t broke—do not fix it. If it ain’t broke do not fix it. Our New Zealand schools are already world leaders in literacy and numeracy achievement and they already have all the assessment tools needed to measure and benchmark our children. The targets have already been set including in relation to Pasifika children. We have already a joint education programme with the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs with the targets. National’s testing regime will lead to winners and losers. It will lead to elite schools and disadvantaged schools the haves and have-nots. The worst and most dangerous agenda that National has—and the Minister of Education should listen—