Our 2011 election manifesto - Labour Party

EDUCATION
Our vision
Children and young people are our future: their skills and confidence in engaging the world
will determine our quality of life in years to come. Investment in education is vital if we are
going to own our future.
Access to quality education is the cornerstone of a happy and prosperous society. It has the
capacity to improve lives, open up opportunity and improve the well-being and living
standards of all New Zealanders.
This education policy, for both the early childhood and compulsory sectors, reflects Labour‟s
core commitments to a better future for all New Zealanders. New Zealand has a world-class
education system – with Kiwi students near the top of OECD rankings for achievement – but
we can do even better.
Early childhood is a precious opportunity and it is imperative that every child is given the
opportunity to get the best possible start in life. In government Labour built a world-leading
early childhood education system with increased participation and increased quality. There
is much more to be done here, in both access and quality. Labour will work to ensure the
ECE workforce is the best it can be, able to properly prepare each child for school.
Some children are missing out on a quality education. A good education is a human right
and we will work to make sure the most vulnerable students don‟t miss out: Māori, Pasifika,
children from low-income families, children with special needs, victims of bullying and
violence, and those who struggle to achieve academically and don‟t have a clear post-school
pathway to work or higher education.
We will also ensure that our most promising and gifted students are supported to reach their
full potential. We must have an education system that caters for children at each end of the
spectrum and everywhere in between.
We will do this by supporting students, educators and parents to get the best outcomes.
We want to rebuild trusting relationships between teachers and parents; schools and the
Ministry of Education; Government and the sector; and schools and their communities.
When these relationships are strong, the education of our children will flourish.
Our education policy has cross-over with other key policy platforms, including Labour‟s
Agenda for Children, Social Development, and the Youth Skills Package. Our work in these
areas will help deal with the causes of under-achievement.
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