By: Larry Williams | Tuesday, May 29, 2012

The government has scrambled to fix problems arising from the new class size formulas.

Intermediates in particular have been vocal in their opposition because technology classes were going to be hit significantly.

The changes will mean that no school will lose more than two full time equivalent teachers.

The Government appears to be different to what was announced initially. They leave themselves open to accusations that the original policy was done on the hoof.

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SHEARER

Labour Leader David Shearer is promising to revoke the Government's new class size formulas should he get the chance.

On the technology classes Shearer is on the money and that is why the government has done a U-turn.

But he goes onto say that National's knowingly undermining the ability of schools to give students a high quality education by increasing class sizes.

Whether or not larger class sizes undermine high quality education is arguable. Everyone wants small classes but the jury is out on whether an increase in class size impacts on outcomes.

It's not surprising Labour would want to unwind the changes - after all the teacher unions are significant donors to the Labour Party.

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MALLARD

Trevor Mallards whining over being served by an old lady with defamation papers is really quite silly and childish.

He might win his case against Collins, that's for the court to decide, but Mallard is starting look foolish over this. He's looking rather toxic for Labour.

I just think that constituents expect some maturity out of their MPs.

Mr Mallard thinks there'll be preliminary hearings only because he doesn't think Ms Collins will want her links to bloggers made public.

I'm starting to think that Mallard is a slow learner. His threats have so far been batted off by Collins. Initially he reckoned that she would not take legal action, now she won't go any further than preliminary hearings.

This is very brave call by Mallard considering he would already know what Collins intentions were.

What has gone pretty much unreported in the media is that Collins as I understand it is seeking a declaratory judgement against Mallard and Little.

Collins is not seeking damages so it won't go to a full hearing.

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SUPER

I watched the Prime Minister on TV this morning making the case for NOT raising the age of superannuation.

Clearly nothing much will change because he says it’s not an issue right now it’s for 2020 and beyond. He says that growth will take care of the pension. It won't, and he knows it.

I don't care if we have 10% GDP year on year, the fundamentals of superannuation had to change.

The PM is correct when he says some of these countries raising the age don't have universal entitlement like NZ.

The plan surely has to be to raise the age of entitlement, introduce compulsory superannuation, means test, and wipe the Kiwisaver incentive. They can lower the tax you pay within the retirement fund. In 30 years time there isn't an issue. Problem sorted.

By the way, Labour's policy although better, doesn't cut it either. It’s kind of tinkering too.

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