I must stop reading news on the internet while eating breakfast...

[Ocean1]

Point 2 needs a BIKEOI. That. Is. Horrendous.

Oh I duno, hard to see how it could result in the wee dears having a more screwed up idea about the real world outside the school gates...

[Flatcap]

2. State Services Commission wanting to restrict principals and teachers from criticising the government.
.

In what context would teachers be criticising the government?

Unless its a Political Science class, I think it's fair enough that politics (along with religion) is removed from the classroom

[avgas]

Respect is something earned.

Not at school its not.
Under the age of about 15 - kids don't know shit about earning respect. If they are lucky they will have learnt it.
Imagine a 13 y/o comming home saying "That John is a fucken wanker, i Fucking hate him."
Atleast in the good old day the sentense read "Mr Bennett is a fucking wanker, I fucking hate him" - respect is maintained by default, not by choice

[Indiana_Jones]

What becaome of "Sir" and "Ma'am"

Agreed.

-Indy

[StoneY]

I worked for ERO (Education Review office) a very hard working and severly underappreciated govt office for 15 months

Both stories had me concerned too
Especially the one about 'not speaking against thegovt'
WTF

Nazi'ism is illegal yeah?
Since when has NZ been a facist dictatorship?

Remove the teachers voices at great peril to our freedom, and the ability of our system to improve and develop
They ARE the front line, if anyone deserves a voice its THEM

The first name issue, I think its a possibilty of the very last bastion of respect and what was once known as 'manners' falling to modern pshyco babble

Bonding.......pfffft

[James Deuce]

In what context would teachers be criticising the government?

Unless its a Political Science class, I think it's fair enough that politics (along with religion) is removed from the classroom

Plenty of contexts that have nothing to do with lecturing kids in the classroom. Removing the right to challenge Government policy for anyone in a civil society is a clear warning that everyone is about to become subjects of a dictatorship.

I'm with Avgas too. Kids friends call me Mr or they go home.

[Flatcap]

Plenty of contexts that have nothing to do with lecturing kids in the classroom. Removing the right to challenge Government policy for anyone in a civil society is a clear warning that everyone is about to become subjects of a dictatorship.
.

I agree with the right to challenge, however in a classroom the kids have no choice but to listen to whatever ramblings the teacher wants. It's not like talkback radio where they can switch it off.

If it's not in the curriculum, or in response to legitimate questions by the pupils, then it's brainwashing

[James Deuce]

I agree with the right to challenge, however in a classroom the kids have no choice but to listen to whatever ramblings the teacher wants. It's not like talkback radio where they can switch it off.

If it's not in the curriculum, or in response to legitimate questions by the pupils, then it's brainwashing

That's not what it is about. It's about Principal's objecting to Government policy in the media. Most Pricipal's don't teach.

Most classroom teachers, believe or not have enough to do without fitting their own political lectures into the classroom, though a critical view of Government process is an essential tool that needs to be included in Social Studies or whatever they call it. It's certainly vital in History oriented subjects, like History and Art History because the politics of the period help define our understanding. Passing a law or creating a regulation like that prevents teachers from comparing events and policies of the past with current policies, a really good methodology for illustrating how human behaviour at the macro level remains almost constant despite technology and political differences.

You really think it isn't the role of teachers to introduce critical thinking and use current policies and events to demonstrate how a good thought can be turned into bad policy?

[Flatcap]

That's not what it is about. It's about Principal's objecting to Government policy in the media.

Isn't the Government their employer?

I know my company would be annoyed if I criticised it in the media

[Ixion]

Hm. Not quite the same thing.

An argument might be made that teachers should not criticise educational policy, along the lines you suggest.

But my understanding is the gag covers ALL government policy.

[James Deuce]

Isn't the Government their employer?

I know my company would be annoyed if I criticised it in the media

What a ridiculous argument. A government that feels the need to even speculate on passing a regulation like that is clearly a government in crisis.

Is everyone completely unconcerned that the people teaching our children will lose their right to free speech.

[avgas]

If it's not in the curriculum, or in response to legitimate questions by the pupils, then it's brainwashing

No its not!
You are putting this perception purely on the basis that teachers will express their impression!
Good teaches don't lecture - they prompt for the student to learn.
We have past the age of "this is how you do it" good teachers and tutors now ask "how would you do it". Children are brainwashed with TV and their parents enough for teachers to worry about it.

[Flatcap]

We have past the age of "this is how you do it" good teachers and tutors now ask "how would you do it". Children are brainwashed with TV and their parents enough for teachers to worry about it.

How do we know if a teacher is good or not? Do they have acheivement reviews?

[PrincessBandit]

In fact, children should be encouraged to call their parents by their first names and to tell them to go fuck themselves if a parent tries to tell them what to do

Don't laugh - one teacher I work with is exactly in this situation with their own kids.

[PrincessBandit]

How do we know if a teacher is good or not? Do they have acheivement reviews?

I don't think the article was aimed at what teachers might say against the government in a classroom - I'd be surprised if there are many teachers who would enter into political assassination or grievance airing to a class full of students.
But surely teachers and principals have a right to voice concern if they feel that their occupation is being meddled with in a detrimental way - the fact that they're employed by the MoE has nothing to do with the right to freedom of speech or speaking out against perceived worrying changes.

The way you put your argument sounds like you believe that lowly employees have no right to question the almighty employer....