Charter Schools Proposed in New Zealand

Facing opposition from the usual suspects

The Education Amendment Bill 2012 creates legal recognition for a new and third type of school in New Zealand's public education landscape—the charter school. The groups that run charter schools are called "sponsors" in the bill, and are given powers to set teachers' pay rates, hire unregistered teachers and set their own hours and days of operation.

Sponsors will be approved by the Ministry of Education and will have to sign a contract setting out their responsibilities and obligations.