New Zealand’s home education community is mobilising against sudden regulatory changes that would, for the first time since 1989, impose mandatory assessments and reporting on homeschooling families. Education Minister Erica Stanford inserted the amendments to the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill via Amendment Paper after the Bill had passed the Select Committee, bypassing public consultation. 

The changes are now being looked at by the whole house this week. If they pass this stage, then the third reading they become law, giving Secretary of Education Ellen MacGregor-Reid the power to decide what parents have to report on, how often and what tests their kids must sit. If families don’t comply they would have their homeschooling exemption revoked. The regulations would come into effect 1 July 2027, and include a further “any other matter” clause, which would allow future governments to add additional requirements without parliamentary scrutiny.

Cynthia Hancox, Government Liaison for the National Council of Home Educators NZ, has issued an urgent call to action, urging families to write to their nearest National MP, ACT education spokesperson Laura McClure, NZ First's Andy Foster, Minister Stanford, and the Ministry of Education. Hancox says letters should reference Amendment Paper 583, specifically parts 5F and 51A, state opposition, object to the lack of consultation, and explain personal impact. A draft template that people can personalise is available on her blog (linked below).

Hancox notes while Labour and The Green Party oppose the Bill, ACT position is the decisive one. If they reject the amendments, they will likely fail. With the Bill before Parliament this week, home educators face a very narrow window to have their voices heard, before the door closes on educational freedom for a generation of Kiwi children.

Originally published on RCR Bites.

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