The Labour Party is accusing Maori Party co-leader Pita Sharples of selling out Maori children in mainstream schools.
Associate education spokesperson Kelvin Davis, a former intermediate school principal, says there is nothing in the Government's policy of national standards that will improve outcomes for Maori boys, which is one of the toughest challenges in education.
He says that Dr Sharples, who is also the Minister of Maori Affairs and Associate Minister of Education, does not want to upset his Government partners.
Mr Davis told Waatea News that there would not be a teacher in the country who is opposed to high standards or giving parents information on their child's achievement, but he says passing tests does not make children more intelligent.
Dr Sharples says he cares for every student, but his ministerial responsibility is for children in kura kapapa immersion education.
