The opening of two charter schools in the Northland region is being seen as an attractive option by members of the Iwi Leaders Forum.
Schools in Whangarei remain divided over the issue of support for local charter schools, following a direction from the PPTA to its membership not to support them.
Despite lobbying the Iwi Leaders Forum for support for charter schools, the school boards and principals in Whangarei are keen for the Education Minister Hekia Parata to front up in person and provide them with the information on the plan for charter schools in the region.
Peter Garelja says the matter has become controversial due to the lack of information available.
According to Hami Piripi of Te Runanga o Te Rarawa, “Tribal groups now have an opportunity to play an important role in our children's education. Old school thinking and philosophies are now a thing of the past.”
The challenge draws near as the two charter schools in the district open in the New Year.