-
Related
The National Party says mainstreaming in schools has gone too far and is harming the learning of many students.
Education spokesman Bill English says National would wind back the policy of mainstreaming children with severe disabilities and of inclusion of students with behavioural problems.
He told the party's annual conference in Christchurch over the weekend that disruptive behaviour in classes made it difficult for teachers and was the biggest obstacle to children's learning.
Instead of spending more on cutting teacher-student ratios, National says it would use the money to ensure other options were available for special needs and those with behavioural difficulties.
But Principals' Federation president Pat Newman says mainstreaming is working reasonably well and National needs to reconsider any suggestion to scrap it.
Nats sets future agenda
National's leader Don Brash says the party has set its agenda for the future in the wake of its party conference at the weekend.
He says the basic thrust of policy at the last election remains.
Brash says there has been talk of tightening the gap between Labour and National Party policy but that is a minority view and not in National's long term interests.
He firmly staked his claim to lead the party into the next election at the conference, saying he has the leadership qualities New Zealand desperately needs.
Brash says he can bring a standard of integrity to government which Prime Minister Helen Clark has not displayed.
He says National has the team, the policies and the party support needed to win at the next election.
