Submission: Education and Workforce Select Committee on the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill 

Montessori Aotearoa New Zealand strongly opposes proposals in the Education and Training (System Reform) Amendment Bill that would shift core teacher education responsibilities from the Teaching Council to the Ministry of Education. MANZ warns this change risks politicising teaching, eroding the profession’s independence, and undermining trust. The submission supports some ideas, such as strengthening attendance exemptions, carefully reviewing curriculum settings, and including micro-credentials in NZQA reporting. However, there are concerns about ERO’s ability to regulate early childhood education, as well as the risk of relegating this sector to a lower priority under the new school property agency. MANZ calls for careful implementation, collaboration within the sector, and the preservation of an independent and well-supported teaching profession.  

You can download our full submission below.