Read, Share and Act!
First, an update:
The issue of the Government's attempt to introduce the ability to set regulations upon homeschoolers for reporting, assessment and anything else they choose, without notice or consultation, is garnering significant attention! And that is largely due to those of you who have shared, written etc. Media is taking notice, and NCHENZ Representative Cynthia Hancox has been interviewed or is scheduled to be interviewed across multiple platforms so far - including the Herald, RNZ, RCR and One News! MPs are taking notice too - it is making some of them very uncomfortable that in an election year so many people are upset with them over this matter.
Where to next:
Our goal is to get the amendments dismissed or discharged and the Bill sent back to the Select Committee for further consideration and an opportunity at consultation. We are expecting this Bill to come up for its 3rd reading in Parliament next week.
There is a provision in parliamentary regulations whereby when a Bill comes up for its third reading, any Member (MP) can present a motion to have it discharged and for the Bill to be recommitted to the whole House or referred to a Select Committee for further consideration. This is not debated on, but put to a vote.
If the Minister of Education will not dismiss Amendments 5F and 51A, then we would like, at a minimum, for them, with or without the whole Bill, to be sent back to the Select Committee so that the consultation that should have occurred, can occur. The Minister can choose to do that, and in the first instance, we call upon her to do that. Otherwise, another MP can present a motion, but it will need the support of other MPs for it to pass the vote.
Actions you can take:
Write to our MPs and ask them to support sending these amendments to the Select Committee. A template is available on the NCHENZ website. This time, we do not need personalisation. We want to keep the communications succinct and clear, so feel free to just copy and paste and send off.
Sign the petition
You can call your local MPs and go and meet with them - show them what real homeschoolers look like, and engage in polite, constructive conversation with them. Most especially, if Erica Stanford is your local MP, I would encourage you to call her office, emphasise that you are local, and want to meet with your MP. This is also a great learning opportunity for your children!
Check your and other key MP's (particularly party leaders) social media for any public engagements near you they may have in the next week or so, and attend if at all possible. Again, show them real homeschoolers, and engage constructively with them.
A Note Going Forward:
While this entire situation is naturally causing some strong emotions, please remember that this is not a done deal, nothing will change overnight, even if the Amendments become law, and work is being done and will continue to be done on behalf of the community. This is a time to pull together, encourage one another, do what you can do, in a positive, constructive way that will reflect well on the whole community (not out of anger or frustration), and be kind to yourselves too. Spread the word (including media interviews as they are posted), ask family, friends, and acquaintances who have seen the value of home education in your family to add their voices to the call to prevent this Bill from going forwards, and to come to the table in meaningful consultation and conversation.