Here is the original of the letter published, abridged, on 19/09/23.  The abridged is better - and almost at the limit of the length the Press publishes.  

 

The story of collaboration in maths ed awaits. 

Insert Photo of the printed versionand also of Hitchin's post.

Ping pong and petty politics

Doug Hitchin (Sept 16) is both right and wrong. Learners from disadvantaged homes lose most if schooling does not inspire them. However, neoliberal dogma rather than "old fashioned organisations" has destroyed progress in education.

I was one of the lucky ones who began teaching in the 1970s when young teachers were respected for the gifts they brought to the system because of their enthusiasm and up to date knowledge.  Fresh approaches to teaching and learning were developed in partnership with experienced teachers, teacher educators, academic researchers, and, importantly, under the guidance of expertise within the Department of Education. 

I benefited personally from this collaborative development.  During the 1980s our Kiwi educators worked together, nationally and internationally, on initiatives which gave girls and "ethnic minorities" opportunities to learn to love mathematics.  This even included "family maths" which included parents.  The fun of exploring ideas while learning maths was previously limited, mainly, to boys in top-stream classes.  Mathematics flourished as a subject during the 1980s.

Then came neoliberalism. The "New Right" reformed the education system by removing centralised control.  It also opened up deregulation and destroyed the collaboration which had enabled this country to achieve high international rankings in education.

Since then we have had 40 Years of ping pong where successive governments have focused on restructuring education, tinkering with the curriculum and assessment, and correcting the perceived errors of the previous administration.

Have we now reached the point, now, where petty politicians can attract voters by telling them how teachers should teach and what equipment they may use, and for how many hours each day?

 

How can we work together to reestablish a shared vision for education?  Our children need it and our teachers need it.  Please, let us move away from ping pong and petty politics. 

 Dr Elaine Mayo

 Hoon Hay