Editor
Education and politics co-exist in the likeness of is rarely seen as a mechanism for recognising individual talent conjoined twins. The difference is that every effort is made to and drawing that talent out for development, irrespective of separate conjoined twins so each can thrive independently. Not political imperatives. so with politics and education. We have observed, even in our universities, It would appear that the education-political ‘It often doesn’t degree options in the Arts and Humanities nexus shares far too many critical functions pared back and resources poured into options for any Government to risk separation. This matter how leading to areas in which the country has in turn creates issues for educationalists. As good an idea perceived skill shortages, such as engineering, Martin Thrupp so eloquently writes in this sciences, mathematics and technology. Some issue (p.37), ‘It often doesn’t matter how good is educationally would argue that education sites are no more an idea is educationally speaking, unless it than a device for economic and cultural is supported by the Government in power speaking, unless it reproduction and operate far from the ideal it’s not going to fly. For instance, many of us is supported by of emancipation of the learner. Education has in the sector worked for years to get rid of taken on a role in creating social cohesion, as National Standards but it was only a change of the Government much as preparing young people to contribute government in 2017 that saw them removed.’ to the economic prosperity of the nation. And so it has been throughout history in power it’s not Where education is funded by the state, it in Āotearoa New Zealand. Good and bad going to fly. is not unreasonable that Government would educational policies are liberally flung want a say in the provision of education, given about during election campaigns. No matter how stridently it is accountable for public spending. The question is how much independent experts might critique the education policies on influence should Government have? Reducing the influence of offer, voters must equally consider policies relating to the many Government in developing education policies and systems is not other spheres of interest. The party gaining ascendency will a new idea. Educational professionals have long been calling for implement the education policy it campaigned on, irrespective greater independence so that long term education goals can be of its educational merits. set and embedded without constantly wrestling the vagaries of Education has been used to shape citizens’ thinking, values, the three-year political cycle. beliefs and knowledge in ways that reflect a Government’s The widely supported New Zealand Curriculum (NZC), is a case ideology and policies, not just in Āotearoa New Zealand but in point. With its national framework, localised flavour, breadth everywhere. Schools reflect the social values of any given state and richness, the curriculum was enthusiastically anticipated. The at any given time. Education is the tool used to create citizens sector looked forward to implementing the innovative, exciting of the future, engendering the knowledge and skills which the approach to learning, for many years to come. As politics would Government has decided will build a successful nation. have it, before the curriculum was embedded, a new Government So, it is not just in preparing young people for the world of work, had completely derailed schools’ plans and only now, a decade that schools have a role, it is equally preparing them for the kind of later, with another change in Government, is curriculum again society we will live in. According to Staeheli (2011), ‘Schools can be the focus. The detrimental effects of the derailment are obvious thought of as an aggregation of the values, aspirations and ideals for all to see. There has been a drop in achievement levels in all held by society and sites where a range of strategies are employed the core learning areas, and some schools are now struggling to to attempt to shape young citizens in certain ways.’ work out what is national curriculum and what is local. The new Over the years we have witnessed this in action. We have seen NZC was shaken off course by political change. young Māori deliberately steered into physical labouring and There is an opportunity right now, in the wake of the agricultural futures, because it was politically agreed that they Tomorrow’s Schools policy review, to establish Education Services were best suited to this work; Post World War Two, children were Agencies (ESAs) [replacing Ministry of Education Regional prepared for factory and manufacturing work, with an emphasis Offices] at arm’s length from Government and the Ministry, on punctuality, obedience, order and allegiance to the flag, to as recommended by the review task force. That would give help the nation recover in the wake of war; in modern times confidence to the sector that at least ESAs would be independent we have seen exams, streaming and timetabling used as tools to from political interference. It would not signal a complete draft young people into particular work-life options. Education separation of the conjoined twins but it would be a great start.