By Dr Michael Johnston

If asked to nominate the main objective of public schooling, most people would probably say that it is to teach young people the knowledge they need to thrive in adult life. However, according to the Education and Training Act, that is just one of four equally important objectives.

The Education and Training Act 2020 is massive. It legislates parameters for nearly every imaginable aspect of publicly funded education, from early childhood to university. One of its 669 Sections describes the objectives of school boards.

Alongside enabling students to attain their highest possible standard in educational achievement, the Act exhorts boards to ensure that schools are physically and emotionally safe environments. Boards must also make sure their schools cater for students with differing needs and give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi.

The New Zealand Initiative has long argued that the Act should elevate the delivery of education above the other objectives.

It seems that the government has taken note. Its recent Education and Training Amendment Bill sets ensuring students’ educational achievement as the paramount objective of school boards. The other three objectives in the 2020 Act are relegated to the status of ‘supporting objectives.’

By giving the other three objectives equal status, the current Act puts boards at risk of confusing means with ends. Naturally, schools should endeavour to keep students and staff safe. They should be inclusive of all students’ needs and cultures. But these are strategies for delivering education rather than reasons for schools to exist in the first place.

Imagine a school with very little bullying, plenty of provision for neurodiverse and disabled students, and a strong emphasis on Māori language and culture – but mediocre educational achievement. The board could claim it is doing its job well.

It might acknowledge room for improvement on one of its objectives but argue that its outstanding performance on the other three makes up for that. In fact, though, that school and its board would be failing.

The government’s intended change to school board objectives is more than cosmetic. Making educational excellence the paramount objective will provide a clear and overarching criterion for accountability. When the Education Review Office visits a school, it will now be much more interested in its achievement data than has been typical in recent years.

The only reason schools exist is to deliver education. The Education and Training Amendment Bill is a welcome reminder of that.

Originally published on NZ Initiative.