14 Oct 2009

NZEI denies deal with Govt over national standards

9:04 am on 14 October 2009

The union representing primary school teachers says no deal has been done with the Government over the contentious introduction of national standards.

The New Zealand Educational Institute held talks on Tuesday night with Education Minister Anne Tolley to discuss its fears the introduction of standards could lead to the production of league tables comparing schools.

Mrs Tolley is quoted by The Dominion Post as saying she regards the talks as a breakthrough and it's "fantastic" that the unions and teachers have agreed to work together on introducing national standards.

However, NZEI president Frances Nelson told Morning Report she is horrified by the report.

She said they have not agreed to support the introduction of national standards: the institute does not want the information used to give a false impression of what schools are doing and how children are achieving.