The Otago Primary Principals' Association believes the fight against national standards in New Zealand primary and intermediate schools may shift up another gear with the election of a new president at the New Zealand Educational Institute.
Tahatai Coast School principal Ian Leckie, of Papamoa, in the Bay of Plenty, was elected president of the education sector union after its annual meeting in Rotorua this week.
Mr Leckie will replace Frances Nelson as president in January.
He has been a member of NZEI for almost 40 years and has served on its national executive since 2004.
He was vice-president in 2008-09 and is a well-known school leader in the Coromandel, Waikato and Bay of Plenty regions.
Mr Leckie said he was ready to lead the profession through what would be challenging times ahead.
"We are already facing some big threats in education.
"National standards threaten our professional integrity, the early childhood profession is being undermined by funding cuts, and support staff continue to have to fight for recognition and fair pay.
"There is also growing disquiet over the Government's privatisation agenda for education and its lack of commitment to closing the pay gap with Australia through the current round of teacher and principal pay negotiations.
"We need to work hard to make the Government listen to the voice of those at the coal-face ..."
Otago Primary Principals' Association president Jenny Clarke said Mr Leckie was a good successor for the presidency and would bring an increased level of enthusiasm for the battles ahead.
"He comes with a renewed energy for the issues that are current.
"I think that he will continue, with determination, the efforts of NZEI to engage the Minister of Education to review the national standards system."
