The government has put aside $153 million of new funding out of Budget 2024 for the conversion of 35 state schools into charter schools and the establishment of 15 new ones in 2025 and 2026.
Associate education minister David Seymour announced yesterday morning an application process would begin as soon as legislation is introduced to Parliament for charter schools, and contracts would be negotiated and signed by the end of this year so the first could open from term one in 2025.
The charter school model would provide educators with "greater autonomy" and "free educators from state and union interference".
A new departmental agency would be created to establish, implement, operate and monitor the performance of charter schools independent of the Ministry of Education.
He said the union would criticise charter schools because they would "lose their membership fees and their grip on the sector".
PPTA Otago regional chairman Kussi Hurtado-Stuart said it was irresponsible for Mr Seymour to suggest freedom from state and union interference was a benefit for the education sector.
"The interference that the state provides is making sure trained teachers teach students and New Zealand Qualifications Authority provide a standard of education that is acceptable.
"I’m not sure freeing students from those interferences is a good thing."
Mr Hurtado-Stuart said the set up of 50 charter schools was unlikely to affect the union’s bottom line.
However, it would have a dramatic effect on the country’s education system, he said.
He feared there would be no money left over for teachers’ pay negotiations that were due next year and the sector would remain underfunded.
He also worried the bulk-funding model for charter schools would lead to the schools saving money in the wrong places.
"If that means allowing the kid in a wheelchair to attend your school would require you to spend $6000 on a couple of ramps to make the classroom accessible, it’s cheaper to not have them at your school."
Mr Hurtado-Stuart said the performance-based funding approach may also mean struggling pupils would not be accepted into charter schools for the schools to uphold their achievement rates.
