The New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) has welcomed the suite of policies released by Labour this weekend, providing a fresh focus on children, teachers and leadership.

‘Principals across the country will be heartened by the new direction that the Labour party is presenting with these policy announcements,’ said Paul Drummond, spokesperson for the New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF).

Primary school leaders today overwhelmingly expressed a lack of confidence in the Government’s $359m Investing in Educational Success policy at a forum in Wellington today.

NZEI Te Riu Roa National President Judith Nowotarski said leaders from national and regional principal and teacher groups have sent a clear message to the Government that the policy, as it currently stands, is unacceptable and unworkable.

Primary School leaders are meeting in Wellington tomorrow to discuss the Government’s $359-m education initiative.

The forum is being jointly convened by NZEI and NZ Principals’ Federation to discuss what is proposed to be the biggest change in the way schools are managed in the past 25 years.

“This is a fundamental system change that needs further discussion and consultation with school communities including Boards of Trustees and parents,” said NZEI National President Judith Nowotarski.