Government wants gripes

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 3, Issue 20, 8 October 1985, Page 2

Government wants gripes

Complaining about the government is a national past-time in New Zealand — citizens often feel

powerless to change things so griping seems the only answer. However in the ministerial review of schools tajcing place at the moment they are actually asking you to tell them what to do! Two committees set up by the Minister of Education, the Hon Russell Marshall, to review the school system, are keen to have opinions from all New Zealanders. Seven booklets have been produced to help get discussion going. Some of this material appeared in the Listener some weeks ago. Teachers in the Waimarino region feel the review is important and a real chance for people to have their say. Principal of Ohakune School, Mr Bill Taylor, wants as many as possible to take part. "If we don't have our say now I believe our society will be increasingly at the mercy of single-issue pressure groups," he said. Ohakune School is planning a number of meetings sponsored by the PTA, the school committee and the staff. Booklets are available

at the school for anyone who wants them. "This is an opportunity for the community to have their say — it's not just a teacher thing," said Mr Taylor. Other schools in the region are also conducting discussions. Raetihi School has had one meeting in Term 2 and parents have been asked if they would like another; at National Park the school committee will make the booklets available to parents and a meeting will be held in November; at Orautoha the booklets are available and one of the parents is a contact; at Owhango the school committee is to call a PTA meeting to discuss the issue; at Kakatahi the school committee suggested a meeting but there was little response; at Ngamatea there have been two meetings with parents and the first four booklets were discussed; at Ruapehu College, while no discussions have been initiated, the principal, Mr Mike Warbrick, says if any parents are interested in looking at the review he will be more than happy to arrange it. It is not often that New Zealanders are asked by their government for their opinions.