Government changes to school boards ‘not justified’ says IoD

The Institute of Directors (IoD) has expressed concern about recommendations made by the Tomorrow?s Schools Independent Taskforce. They say that that the recommendations will “fundamentally change the nature of school boards, significantly reducing their role and responsibilities.”

IoD Governance Leadership Centre General Manager Felicity Caird says ?given the amount of change proposed and the importance of maintaining a well-functioning system, the IoD has significant concerns about the lack of robust evidence and analysis to justify the proposed changes.?

?Many of the IoD?s members serve (or have served) as trustees on school boards. It is clear from a recent survey of our members that the school board governance model is not fundamentally broken and many boards are operating effectively. Fifty-seven percent of respondents thought the current school governance model is effective or very effective, and 69% agreed or strongly agreed their school board of trustees has the right capability to govern effectively.

?We know there are some boards and schools that are not operating effectively and these situations need to be addressed promptly to ensure the school  system promotes equity and excellence,? Caird says.

?Transferring core board responsibilities to Education Hubs is not the answer and 63% of our survey respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that hubs would improve the quality of school governance.

The IoD has raised concerns around the ability of the proposed Education Hubs to carry out governance responsibilities, given the large portfolio of schools (circa 125 per hub) they will be required to oversee. A particular concern is with the recommendation for Education Hubs to employ school principals.

When I read that line I literally heard in my head ” Danger Will Robinson! Danger!” If the government is able to pick the principals rather than parents on the board of Trustees then they will be able to stack all the schools with principals that share their political ideology.

This is very much the Marxist way because if they can pick the principals then they have even more control over what is taught to the children. New Zealand children are already being force-fed a highly “progressive” education such as the controversial Mates & Dates programme and it will only get worse if the government is given even more control.

One of the most important functions of a school board is to appoint and manage the principal and to hold them to account for their performance. The IoD questions the ability of Education Hubs to manage the performance of around 125 school principals effectively and hold them to account. In addition, the change to Education Hubs employing principals would undermine school boards? relationships with principals.[…]

iod.org.nz

You can download the IoD’s full submission to the Ministry of Education below.

IoD Submission on the report by the Tomorrow’s Schools Independent Taskforce___Downloadhttps://www.thebfd.co.nz/2019/02/mates-dates-lets-roleplay-consent/