State Services seeks to gag teachers
This is a curious story with an Orwellian flavour.
“The State Services Commission wants to gag principals and teachers from criticising the Government.
The public service watchdog invited the Principals Federation and primary school union NZEI to talk about including schools and boards of trustees in the Standards of Integrity and Conduct code.
The code, which covers government departments and district health boards, states that it is unacceptable for employees to comment on government policy if it constitutes a “personal attack” on a minister, work colleagues or other state servants.
The move has incensed unions representing thousands of principals and teachers, who are concerned they will not be able to “speak their mind” on matters such as national standards.
But in a show of camaraderie, Education Minister Anne Tolley has thrown her support behind the unions. It is understood she contacted State Services Minister Tony Ryall to get the process stopped.”
Teachers are not very happy with the actions of State Services – and neither should we be. The only good thing to arise is that ministers are at least talking to each other.
Full story at http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/education/3125636/Gag-plan-angers-teacher-unions
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