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Source: ONE News -
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The New Zealand Principals' Federation (NZPF) is "disappointed and angry" that Education Minister Anne Tolley did not turn up to a meeting on Friday.
But, the minister says she had told them she was not able to attend.
NZPF national president Ernie Buutveld says the minister was "conspicuous by her absence" at the meeting in Wellington.
The meeting was between local and regional principal associations, and sector heads from the Ministry of Education, Teachers' Council, Education Review Office, the NZEI and directors of the Ariki Project.
Buutveld says the industry is facing "challenging and uncertain times and it's difficult to move forward together when the minister doesn't even show".
"There is significant change underway and her promise of working with the sector to make it work appears to be an empty one."
The meeting, known as Moot, has been held annually for 13 years.
This year's meeting identified four critical areas to focus on; standards, assessment and reporting, special education, extreme and challenging behaviour and professional leadership.
Tolley says she had told the federation she would not be able to attend and thought they understood.
"I am surprised at the federation's comments given that I explained to them several weeks ago that I would be unable to attend the meeting on Friday because I had a full day of other commitments.
"Their response at the time led me to believe that they understood my position. They also indicated that they were pleased I would be able to attend their forthcoming national conference."
