Martyn Weatherill: Laingholm Primary School doubtful the Government's new maths-based scheme will solve educational issues

An Auckland principal isn't hopeful a new maths action plan will address the root problem.

The Government is bringing forward a new curriculum to Term 1 next year, assessing twice yearly and establishing a $20 million boost for teachers' professional development.

Laingholm Primary School principal Martyn Weatherill believes this isn't going to fix decades of under-funding.

"Political interference in the teaching practice has caused the problem. Now politicians are saying political interference in the teaching practice will solve the problem. I don't see how that's possible."

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Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:00):
A new math curriculum is on the way for our
primary and intermediate school students and new structured maths will
be based on curriculums from Singapore and Australia, altered for
Kiwi students and it comes into the classroom from term
one next year, so it is soon. Twenty million dollars
will be spent on teacher training ahead of the introduction
and the Teaching Council will raise the math's entry requirement

(00:22):
for new teachers so they will have to be at
least competent in NCAA Level two. The Langholm School Principal,
Martin weather Well, it's a primary school in Auckland, is
with us this morning. Martin, thank you for being on
the show. Good morning, good to have you on. What
do you make of this announcement.

Speaker 2 (00:43):
It's an announcement that was not unexpected. We are obviously
concerned about the workload that it's going to create the teachers,
I mean, the proposals are going to add incredibly to
teachers and principles workload. With the short turnaround it's five
months that we continue to meet all the government's other
expectations and requirements and of course this is the second

(01:07):
curriculum that has been announced. We are currently under undergoing
to training for the literacy program announced earlier in the year.

Speaker 1 (01:15):
It's a lot of work. But when twenty two percent
of year eights on are at benchmark level four maths,
we've got to do something, don't we.

Speaker 2 (01:25):
Oh don't disagree with that. No teacher, no parent is
going to disagree with that. But let's address the fundamental issue.
Thirty years of chronic and systemic underfunding of the primary
education system cannot be solved by throwing twenty million dollars
and five months at the program. The issue that we

(01:46):
have right the way through this is that political interference
in the teaching practice has caused the problem. Now politicians
are saying political interference in teaching practice will solve the problem.
I don't see how that's possible.

Speaker 1 (02:01):
Do your teachers know basic maths?

Speaker 2 (02:04):
My teachers do. My teachers actually teach one of the
Singapore structured maths programs. The issue is not teacher competence.
The issue is I physically do not have the money
to buy the resources that I need to teach maths.
This is a resourcing is So it's not an.

Speaker 1 (02:22):
Education this year, right, But the government has said that
those resources are coming.

Speaker 2 (02:28):
I am old enough to remember BSM maths, and we
will promise the resources were coming. Thirty five years later,
we've never seen them. I'm old enough to remember the
Numeracy Project and we will promised resources and we've never
seen them. With all due respect to the current minister,
I'll believe that statement when I see it in fruition.

Speaker 1 (02:46):
If Erica Stanford produces these these resources at the start
of next year, while you eat your hat.

Speaker 2 (02:54):
If those resources are available and they are adequate, and
those resources are available to meet the needs of my
diverse range of needs. Now remember my children are not
one size fits al. This approach is one size fits all.
Those resources must meet the needs of neurodiverse students. They
must meet the needs of students who's English is not

(03:17):
their first language. They must meet the needs of our
indigenous learners. They must need the needs of all of
our learners. You cannot supply a resource for a single
cohort of people and say your job is done, as Minister.

Speaker 1 (03:31):
Lang Holmeschool Principal Martin wither Or reacting to It's an
Auckland primary school reacting to the governments announcement at the weekend.

Speaker 2 (03:38):
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Speaker 1 (03:42):
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