Charter schools in New Zealand

rdf:langString Charter schools in New Zealand

rdf:langString Charter schools in New Zealand, also known as partnership schools or kura hourua in te reo Māori, were schools that received government funding similar to state schools but were subject to fewer rules and regulations from the Ministry of Education. They were free and open for any students to attend. Charter schools had the autonomy to set their own curriculum, qualifications, pay rates for teachers, school-hours and school terms. The schools were operated by sponsors such as Māori Iwi, not-for-profit organisations, businesses or existing education providers. Charter schools were legalized after an agreement between the National Party and their confidence and supply partner ACT New Zealand following the 2011 general election. In October 2012, the Education Amendment Bill creating charter schools passed with a five-vote majority. The charter school model was heavily criticized by a wide range of educational authorities, teacher organizations, the general public and political parties who vowed to overturn it. Opposition to charter schools formed part of the Labour Party's education policy in the 2014 and 2017 general elections. In late October 2017, the newly formed Labour-led coalition government announced that it would be abolishing charter schools. This announcement triggered mixed responses. Teaching unions supported the new Government's decision, while charter schools and the opposition National and ACT parties opposed the announcement. In response to protests, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that charter schools could convert to "special character" schools. By September 2018, all twelve remaining charter schools had successfully transitioned to become state-integrated schools.