Chris Carter (minister of education): "We know the spin is that somehow it (education) hasn't become free. Actually, it is free and parents choose to pay it or choose not to. That's their call."
Ms Rich, National's education spokeswoman, said Mr Carter's casual attitude and telling parents it was "their call" on donations was irresponsible and would put some off paying.
(http://www.nzherald.co.nz/category/story.cfm?c_id=35&objectid=10487265).
Secondary Principals' Association head Arthur Graves, says he would never use a debt collector to chase school fees, but knows of others doing so ...
"It really does reflect the desperation that schools are facing in terms of funding. [They are] having to find ways to scramble together money just to hold the basics together.
"The whole story now, about it being a free education, is not quite correct I would be surprised now if there were any schools that weren't charging fees around curriculum subjects."
The "most-spun" government ever? (http://www.stuff.co.nz/4365415a10.html).
The biggest spender on communication contractors and staff was the Ministry of Education, with 70% of the $6.6m it spent going on contractors.
Canterbury University journalism school head Jim Tully said government and corporate public relations staff were growing as newsrooms were shrinking.
"The growth is indicative of a much greater determination to put the best possible spin and to influence the media generally."
2 comments:
Geez, you have to wonder if this is really a good use of tax payer money.
I hope some journalist looks into this deeper. There may be good reason for this kind of expenditure, but I'm finding it difficult to imagine what it could be.
Well written article.
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