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The proposed appointment of former Act Party president Catherine Isaac to lead a trial of charter schools has been described as "disturbing".
Isaac, who was number two on Act's list in last year's election, is the wife of the late Business Round Table head Roger Kerr and has been tipped as the next leader of the party.
Trials of charter schools will be carried out in south Auckland and Christchurch as part of Act's support agreement with the National-led Government.
Prime Minister John Key said nothing has been finalised yet but Isaac's name is in the mix.
"She's got lots of skills and ability and could be very good. I think very highly of her."
If Isaac gets the role she will lead an implementation committee which is likely to consist of another four members.
Independent charter schools are run in the United States and the United Kingdom but are controversial because they can be owned by private businesses or community groups and are free to set their own curriculum, school term and pay levels.
Sharp criticism
Green Party education spokeswoman Catherine Delahunty this morning said the trial will be compromised if Isaac is appointed because she is a businesswoman and not from the education sector.
"The trial now looks like a joke.
"It shows this is nothing to do with education, it's to do with the Government's agenda to turn the education system into a business opportunity."
Delahunty said there had been no public discussion about what a charter school was.
Isaac's three terms as a school trustee did not qualify her for the role, said Delahunty, who has also been a school trustee.
"This is a major political platform for education. It is a change in direction. It is not something for amateurs."
Key hits back
But Key claims he does not think educational experience is the single biggest issue when dealing with a charter school.
"Charter schools are going to be quite specific in New Zealand, they will play an important role ... but we do need someone who is very focused on that issue and is of high quality."
He said he does not think there is an element of political patronage, despite her close links to the Act Party.
"If we did rule people out based on their political affiliations then there wouldn't be too many people applying jobs."
Key said it can still be an objective trial if Isaac is appointed.
Charter schools were not part of National's election campaign and although they were part of Act's education policy, opponents say there is no public mandate for them because the single-MP party garnered just 1.07% of the party vote.
Association Education Minister and Act's lone MP John Banks this morning defended Isaac.
"Catherine Isaac is a well-known Wellington businesswoman who has extensive contacts within the public policy and education sector."
Suggestions her proposed appointment is nepotism was "the negative spin of the media".
It was not a bad look, Banks said.
"It's someone I have confidence in and trust with, it's very sensible.
"Even if people disagree with her, most people admire her and enjoy working with her, and this is a crucial skill as she will have to bring people together to make this work."
The Post Primary Teachers' Association agreed with the Greens the committee had become a "farce".
President Robin Duff said evidence from overseas was charter schools were "overwhelmingly" making little difference.
"In many cases, they are actually making things worse," he told
Radio New Zealand.
