There are currently four primary objectives to help school boards focus on what matters most for learners and their whānau.

These include ensuring all children can achieve their best; providing a safe place and minimising bullying and discrimination; including students with different needs; and giving effect to the Treaty of Waitangi.

The Government has proposed having just one primary objective – student achievement – with the other three objectives “included as necessary to achieve the primary objective”.

The consultation document has also proposed two new objectives – ensuring attendance and using good assessment to monitor achievement.

Children’s charity Save the Children has expressed extreme concern over the proposal to prioritise achievement and remove references to children’s rights. 

Research Director Jacqui Southey said while achievement is important, it does not occur in isolation.

“A wealth of research and experience shows children do well at school when their needs and wellbeing are met, when they feel safe and secure in their surroundings, and they are supported by qualified skilled teachers,” Southey said in a statement.  

She says it is essential that there is a requirement to understand, respect and uphold children’s rights explicitly referenced in this legislation.  

“Rights empower children and directly contribute to their achievement. They are a critical backstop when children are harmed, neglected or discriminated against. Rights are part of our children’s daily lives ensuring children are protected, provided for and can participate,” Southey said.   

“Given the critical role that education plays in children’s daily lives and the impact on their future lives, rights must be strengthened and upheld, and in no way lessened or reduced in the legislation that sets the parameters for education.”   

According to RNZ, the consultation document proposes changing the treaty objective, to make the first action achieving equitable outcomes for Māori students, and replacing references to local curriculums to reflect local tikanga, mātauranga and te ao Māori.

“There are concerns that the term ‘local curriculum’ may cause confusion and lead some schools to think that ‘local curriculum’ is separate from the national curriculum – meaning they may not be adequately covering the national curriculum in their teaching and learning programmes,” it said.

Southey suggested that children’s success is more than just test results.

“Children deserve their schools to be safe, responsive to their needs and the needs of their peers, to uphold Te Tiriti o Waitangi and give effect to the indigenous culture of Aotearoa, and to be places where they can achieve their full potential.”   

The Education Ministry has opened consultation on proposed changes to the objectives.