Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Teachers' union says large classes lead to teen pregnancy

Updated at 4:37 pm on 5 October 2008

The union for secondary school teachers has launched its election campaign by calling for smaller class sizes.

It hopes a full page newspaper advertisement on Sunday will prompt all political parties to prioritise the reduction of high school class numbers.

The Post Primary Teachers' Association says teen pregnancy and crime are just two of the consequences of bigger classes.

Its president, Robin Duff, says class sizes are out of step with a new-look education system.

He says the advertisement abides by the Electoral Finance Act and there is no connection with recent advertising on smaller classes by the Labour Party.

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