A large part of the paper work is incident reports for special needs children within the classroom.
Printable View
Well, yes - there is a longstanding unholy alliance between the Ministry against Education, who work hard to create year after year more useless paperwork for schools and teachers to complete (instead of teaching) and the teachers unions who work hard to prevent new people and ideas (like charter schools) from gaining access to the industry. Classical loose - loose for students and parents.
Ah yes - and special needs students belong on special schools (as in most civilised countries). The NZ system is serving neither them nor the other students. Again - loose-loose for everybody.
Lets do it!
You don,t like the locals, that is fairly obvious . I am not sure what country you are trying to change us into but it must be a wonderful place to live in.
As for teachers and their troubles, modern society and its treatment of children as young gods is responsible for most of their so called problems.
Teacher shortages, most men would run from teaching these days, the risk of being fingered by a child with a grudge being too great. Bring back the strap etc.
Obviously I am a product of the “ children should be seen and not heard generation “:)
westerly
Entire contents deleted by an annoyed STMOD.
About time to leave this subject?
(Thread is: "Labour/NZ First Government")
Good idea. NZ First been a bit silent of late. No surprise given Shane Jones shredding cash in his forestry balls up. "Here you go, have a million trees" "Oops make that one hundred thousand - shame the land is full of scrub and weeds. Shoulda thought about that"
So Shane - are you just throwing cash at a Maori Trust that lost $264k last year when its income was only $1.1m
That the most lack of though comment I have seen in a long time, if you understood the legal approach that has to be taken you would not be so flippant 😊 each has a certain approach that legally has to report to the MOE and Board. We are talking often serious asssalts often resulting in people in hospital.
Various quite different education themes linked into a quite complicated and unrelated tax issue - and this in just two lines ...
so - what do you really want to know - if anything?
Lets see ...
1) "top rate education .... cost money". True, however - not necessarily as much money as we currently spend. Our school system suffers under the typical problems of any bureaucracy. More bureaucrats create more bureaucracy requiring more money. Does not improve the education, though. Smart spending of money would be preferrable and we don't need a tax hike.
2) "teacher aids ... cost money". True. Have seen countries with a better educations system and without (or with less) teacher aids - i.e. they are not necessarily a reflection on the quality of the education system, more a reflection on the non standard tasks our standard schools have to deal with. A better and smarter task allocation (like e.g. concentrating special needs children in purpose build schools) would actually save money. What are we doing with the freed up funds - reduce taxes?
3) "good special education costs money". True, however significantly less than the current system where basically every school needs to spend huge amounts of money for a very small number of special needs children. Our local primary school had to pay more than one million dollars to cater for one single special needs child which moved into the township. After completion of the building activities moved the family on and the facilities have never been used. Mindboggling inefficiency.
Not mentioned by you, but I have seen many classes with suboptimal education for everybody because the teacher had to cater for one or two special needs children as well who loved to disturb the class. Absolutely brain dead approach to have all children suffer just because they don't want to concentrate the special needs children.
4) Capital gains tax: While we don't need more money for education (see above) do I have no problems with the introduction of a capital gains tax if it is fair (i.e. no exceptions, no loopholes) and efficent (i.e. cost to collect the tax is significantly lower than the collected tax). I have not yet seen though a fair and efficient capital gains tax in any country. Have you?
Discl: have seen three children through the NZ school system and served as well on a board of trustees and on a community board. I do know the system.
True I covered several fields in the one post. I was most intrigued by your negative comparison of NZ special needs accommodation with “most civilised countries.”
Which are these civilised countries and what makes them “civilised”?
Dedicated special needs schools may be cost effective and feasible in large population centres but in less densely populated areas it could be impractical and inadvisable to dislocate the pupils?
I totally agree with you in relation to a non-comprehensive CGT...but I wondered if you would need to apply your “what happens in most civilised countries” test to tax and topics other than education too? This thread is not limited to education.
Disc: I have no experience of special needs education in NZ or in other countries (civilised or not).
Disc: I had nits when I was a child. It was a relief when they were cleared up and my hair was nit-free!
Prof Brady tweeted this today
Anne-Marie Brady (@Anne_MarieBrady)
16/11/18, 10:20 AM
Yesterday my car was sabotaged, two tyres had been interfered with; someone broke in to my garage to do it. It was only be chance I took the car into the mechanic for the six-monthly warrant and he noticed it straight away.
And Jacinda again repeating NZ is not taking sides in South China Sea dispute
Not taking sides is a way of supporting the aggressor ...shame
Not just Labour but previous National government as well
This is not really related to the headline of this thread but political. It is clear that privacy laws have become ridiculously restrictive and the rights of offenders have become much higher placed than rights of previous or potential victims. We need a law change https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=12160069
Dangerous idea from Parker. They should leave the Guardians of the Super Fund alone to do what they are meant to do. https://www.stuff.co.nz/business/108...enture-capital
Their mandate is simple and we don't need political interference:
"Mandate
Under the Act, the Guardians must invest the Fund on a prudent, commercial basis and, in doing so, must manage and administer the Fund in a manner consistent with:
best practice portfolio management;
maximising return without undue risk to the Fund as a whole; and
avoiding prejudice to New Zealand’s reputation as a responsible member of the world community."
I think the whole construct and circumstance of the Superfund is political - Cullen being the architect. National suspended payments into the fund during its time in office. As a result of previous lack of planning, Today's taxpayers are not only paying for today's pensions but they are also paying into the fund for the provision for tomorrow's pensions. The fund exists even though NZ continues to have government debt.
As it does exist, I agree with the proposition that it should be involved in funding NZ venture capital and I think too the fund should finance and invest in only NZ based companies and business. At least that way it could compensate for past NZ policies and circumstances that have seen the NZ share market hollowed out and many NZ businesses relocating overseas in order to access capital.
It is shameful that only 15% of the super funds assets are in NZ. That means that NZ taxpayers taxes have been diverted overseas. If the money had been left in the hands of taxpayers, taxpayers would probably have spent more than the Superfund has on investing in NZ or supporting NZ business. As all the delisting companies attest, NZ companies have been finding it difficult to raise capital in NZ and the tax-funded Superfund, as it now stands, may have added to that difficulty.
Instead of the Superfund, the half-hearted Kwisaver should be boosted. At the moment tax breaks are limited with little incentive for taxpayers to boost their annual contributions beyond the minimum to get the annual tax credit or to build up a sizeable balance. There should also be greater incentives/tax breaks for kiwisavers to invest in NZ-only investments.
Yes, 15% invested in NZ businesses is far too little but to restrict the fund to NZ-only investments in an attempt to remedy past issues in the NZ capital markets would also be inappropriate. The purpose of the NZ Super Fund, despite political tinkering, is first and foremost, to achieve the best possible return for superannuation.
NZ Business (or at least those that can withstand financial scrutiny) are already well served by NZ Super and ACC investments as well as various Kiwisaver schemes.. This is a bit like the whole nonsense "diversity" argument. We dont want quotas - we need sound financial investments. Wherever in the world that might be. We most certainly do not need politicians meddling.
Best way to reduce Politicians meddling - if that is ever possible - would be to scrap the Superfund and give KiwiSaver some more teeth. The current Superfund balance should be applied to reduce government debt.
I think current institutional investments on NZ shares and business is insufficient. We should have been able to keep many of the companies that have swum to the other side of the ditch. KiwiSaver is a minnow for an OECD economy of NZ's size.
Interest rates are so low at the moment debt isn't a problem. Indeed govt should be borrowing more and dealing with infrastructure issues impacting productivity. Get things up an running now, then begin paying down debt. Rather than leaving it until debt is even more expensive and we have lost more years in productivity.
Good point. Although as asset prices are (falling but still) high I would suggest not taking on more debt now but liquidating and using the superfund for the much needed infrastructure catch-up. If there is a gfc mkII that may be when NZ will need to take on more debt.
Net migration was 61,800 over last 12 months.....which many reckon is way too high and the cause of our housing woes and all that
Weird nobody seems to talk about migration numbers anymore
That was an expensive train ride ....must offer to take Jacinda out on my mates boat
https://www.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/...d-christchurch
Well that I agree with. I see no problems with the Superfund investing in infrastructure in NZ but it would need to be in PPP and on a commercial basis (user pays). Not by Ministers of the day directing them to do so. This is very different to what was being suggested in the link I posted a few posts back, where they were talking about Ministers ordering the Superfund to invest seed funding in startups. That's crazy.
If I was Prof Brady I’d conclude from this interview with the OM that the PM knows that somebody is trying to stop her speaking out ...talk about being evasive with her answers
https://www.radionz.co.nz/national/p...imidation-case
I think the interview only indicates that the PM does not want to get on the wrong side of the second most powerful nation of the world, no matter whether they behave right or wrong.
Some might call it weak, others might call it Realpolitik? (actually - the words ryhme ... I must be a poet ;);
Whats Shane Jones doing with our money. Westland co-op dairy, 2017 $586m in assets. Net assets of $146m. $629m in revenue and $1.5m in profit. Why do they need a loan from us?
We should close the week with a clear understanding of how shallow Aderns talent pool is.
Lees-Galloway stuffed up and tried to blame officials. He said there would be a report in three weeks and the PM instructed that it be done in significantly less time. It was more than 3 weeks.
The PM assured us we just needed to Read Between The Lines.
ILG has bought NZ Immigration into disrepute, he is lazy and arrogant (no apology from him) yet the PM back him. Proof no-one left in teh pool to replace him
Iain Lees-Galloway should at least be made to wear a dunce hat in parliament for the rest of the year on what he has done re K. Sroubek case.
Sounds like an archaic middle earth corporal punishment petty political great leap backwards sorta attitude. Sroubek is a goner , thats good mutual ground.
As long as you are relaxed being lost you are on a great journey.;)
Dont be sure about that. Bet the Greens Garonganrahn (whats her name) will be up in arms. She knows all about terror and the risk of death back home. Also the pursuit of justice. Not really fair to have a lazy Minister make a decision and then he gets a second bite at reading the file
Speaking of Greens ,great to see we will have food origin identification.
Consumer NZ doesn’t buy it
Strapped as well, or caned, 10 of the best;)
Or Mallard will just take him out the back and deal to him like he did to Tau Henare (any one else notice the irony of Mallard pushing for the enquiry into bullying and harassment. I'd add to that Willie Jackson in charge of employment and bullying as well. Two foxes well into the chook house)
Winnie and Shane Jones look after their millionaire mates thanks to Labour and the Greens https://www.nzherald.co.nz/business/...ectid=12163955
Im amazed we don't already have all weather tracks, about time! (Or do we?)
About time bullies in parliament got dealt to too. Will it make any difference though
. "It doesn't have the power to subpoena documents, and will rely heavily on self-disclosure from affected staff. Most of the information gathered will never be released to either the public or Parliamentary Services"
Exclusive: Bullying claims rock National MP Maggie Barry
Editorial: Inquiry should help define bullying
Retirement Commissioner accused of bullying
.
Intersting that you forgot to refer to all the Labour, Green and NZ First bullies - talking about one eyed?
Interesting insinuation re Amy Adams. I haven't seen or heard yet anything which would put Amy in the "bully bin" - and knowing her personally I would be surprised if this is true. I guess she was as justice minister responsible for the anti cyber bullying act, but probably not even you would hold that against her.
Do you want to clarify this statement?
No mention of any but national MP's in the articles that i scanned.I'd be surprise if some members from the coalition are not pulled up besides whats her name, its all about power and power goes to some peoples heads.
Have listened to several radio NZ news items again and cant find a reference to Amy Adam so withdraw that.
Another step in the right direction re cannabis use for pain etc.
Chronic pain sufferer: 'We've been shown no compassion at all'
Nats back in front in the polls( Just need a partner now ) , looks like ILG has done some damage .....
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pol...r-brunton-poll
Maybe it has temporarily,the petrol issue maybe too, and the strikes and wage increases which most of us know have to happen.
Meanwhile the good work carries on ,new family laws are being quietly brought in.
Significant milestone in victim safety
"Three new family violence offences have been introduced: strangulation, coercion to marry, and assault on a person in a family relationship. These new offences criminalise behaviours .."
Must be pretty desperate - criminalising actions under a different act which are already felonies won't improve anything. At worst they will further increase our prison population because there are now still more redundant laws around offering opportunities for false accusations and convictions.
Labour had a chance to improve our so called "justice system". So many things broken. It is just about locking up somebody (remember: "somebody has to pay") and to train offenders and turn them into career criminals instead of helping them and reduce crime rates.
Labour made big promises before they got elected and delivered nothing. Instead of reforming the justice system they generate still more offenders they are going to lock up. Talk about jumping as a tiger and landing as a bedside rug. Useful for nothing.
Wow thats pretty sad .Maybe you havn't actually read it. Strangulation is a very common way for one partner to control the other.And people still die later with no outward signs of injuries, their internal throat injuries swell up and block breathing.
Sure - there are many ways to attack people, to injure them and to kill them. Does Labour intend to create a separate law to prohibit each of them?
This does not help anybody but bureaucracy. It is simply not allowed to assault people and never was. Sure - there is always lowlife around who don't care about the law, but why do you think they will make a difference for the new law?
Are you saying that the people who killed others so far by strangulation didn't know that this is not allowed? This is really sad. But in this case maybe some education might have gone a long way instead of just making another law the bad guys either ignore or perhaps don't know about.
Labour are just clueless about how to improve our justice system - aren't they?
Are you for real!. Acceptable to you ,oh my god!!!:eek2::ohmy:. Here be monsters.
Beat yourself up again:ohmy:
Report out on mental Health AND addiction
What you need to know about the mental health inquiry report
"One thing the report made clear was that pretty much everyone agreed things had to change. It’s remarkable for such a major report to come back with anything like that sort of consensus, which indicates it was probably a good idea to have it in the first place."
We propose major changes in current policies and laws, supported by significant increases in funding. Our recommendations cover 12 broad areas.
1 Expand access and choice from the current target of 3% of the population being able to access specialist services to provide access to the ‘missing middle’ of people with mental illness or significant mental distress who cannot access the support and care they need. Given current prevalence data suggesting one in five people experience mental health and addiction challenges at any given time, an indicative access target may be 20% within the next five years. New Zealand has deliberately focused on services for people with the most serious needs, but this has resulted in an incomplete system with very few services for those with less severe needs, even when they are highly distressed.
‘Once in a generation’: The crucial passages from the mental health inquiry
In action already, great to see.
First strangulation charge laid "
"We know that strangulation is a serious risk marker in family harm situations. There is obviously significant risk to victims, and it is often a precursor for more serious violence, including homicide," Ellwood said.
Sigh - there always will be loop holes. Wondering why Labour didn't yet ban kicking, hitting, biting and poisoning your partner. As well - it seems to be quite ok to push them over a cliff or sabotage their cars. No special law created yet. Quite sloppy work, I must say.
Where’s Jacinda next big Regional Fund Handout function
She’s been taking the limelight from Shane lately
Good for the ratings though
National sticking it to Jacinda.
https://www.stuff.co.nz/national/pol...-pm-on-sroubek
Cometh the finest hour cometh the man.This is fantastic for Shaw the Greens the Govt and NZ. i will look closely at this and aim to invest.
New $100m green fund launched by government
"No one can opt out of the impacts of climate change. This fund helps business to opt in to the solution."
Just as well you don't get booted out for "um"'s and "ah"s. Adern would be out in the blink of an eye. Mallard doing his best to destroy democratic process by booting people out on a whim - Labour can feel very happy they have such a guardian angel sitting up there ready to put an end to those pesky questions.
Interesting that the "biggest bully of all" (Trevor Mallard) is now making the rules. I guess it is all about power. He is not just a proven bully, but as well well known for physical attacks on his adversaries if he is running out of arguments. Poor form, Labour, but what else would we expect from a party with such little talent. Shame to not just leave him in parliament but to even make him speaker.
https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/polit...-bullying.html
https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/a...ectid=10483091
Got to give him credit. He sees a PM under pressure and in the midst of lies so hes done the loyal thing and drawn matters to a close. Adern is clearly telling porkies (in her befuddled, best Clare Curran imitation) when she answered she did not know who made representations on Sroubeks behalf. It was her (and Stay-at-home Dad's) mate Richie Hardcore.
Ian Lees Galloway seems to be getting deeper into the poo. So he didn't read much of the Sroubek file when he made his decision. Wouldn't have mattered if the Dept had put more paper in the file . He wouldn't have read it. So a lazy and incompetent minster has been found out.
But it seems that Sroubeks wife is in a "safe House" living in great fear. But we now have Immigration officials knocking on her door. They were announced, uninvited and ought not to have known the address. What has ILG done with his Dept to get more information to support his position. How has he (or the Prime Minster) managed to get the police to divulge what out to have been a secret address. Why is the Prime Minister continuing to support him. Why are her mates backing Sroubek? Why is the Leader of The House protecting the Prime Minister. Something very fishy happening here.
How wierd. I thought Captain Calls were the sole prerogative of the Captain. Seems like Twyford has been a very norty boy. Hes been and gone and changed the penalties on Kiwibuild property flickers. Remember all the fuss about capital gains and how Labour woudlnt allow kiwibuild to be flicked within 5 years of buying. Well turns out Twyford made the Captains Call to change to time frame to less than 3 years with reduced penalties. Didnt run this policy change past the Prime Minister. She found out about it by watching the TV news. Bet he's in the dogbox
Gerry Brownlee would leave Mallard far behind in the bullying competition. Mallard an Henare was about personal comments made in Parliament. Brownlee ejected a protestor at a National party meeting using what was considered excessive force. It proved quite expensive for Brownlee.
Poor form National, shame he is still in parliament.
All good entertainment :)
westerly
No dissention from me on that point. Brownlee is a truly horrid man. But he learnt from the master (Mallard) and has now set the new bar. The problem is Mallard. He is Speaker and supposed to be impartial. I bet hes still a card carrying member of the Rail and Maritime Transport Union.
Trouble is we have a national leader under intense pressure who carries on like a prosecutor who cares nothing about the truth of anything and is also offensive and rude as hell, challenges the speaker in a stunt to get attention, knowing he will get thrown out, knowing the media will give him prime time and the $100 million green fund gets little to none, i guess that was a success but he is just not leadership material, dead man walking imo.