![Schools for thought](https://cdn.magzter.com/1472106876/1716360991/articles/Ax_R1C1vu1716362292432/SCHOOLS-FOR-THOUGHT.jpg)
It's always gratifying when Green MPs get caught misbehaving. They're so sanctimonious, so judgmental - but turns out they shoplift from boutique stores and throw temper tantrums at florists just like the rest of us. We're good at judging our politicians for their moral failures - we should be; we get a lot of practice - but we're bad at holding them to account for their policy failures.
They're not there to be good people, they're supposed to govern the country and, sometimes, their failures cause immense damage: squandering enormous sums of money, ruining lives, eroding the social fabric. We're oddly fine with that, though, so long as they're not horrible to any waiters while they're wrecking the nation.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, New Zealand made a number of changes to its primary and secondary education systems: the widespread adoption of a now widely questioned technique called "balanced literacy"; merging teacher training colleges with the universities; shifting the curriculum from knowledge- and skills-based learning - reading, numeracy, writing - to a student centric, "competency-based" model; devolved assessment and open-plan classrooms.
There's still some debate about which of these policies caused the most damage, but over a 30-year period, our educational outcomes declined. The drop is reflected across genders, ethnicities and deciles. The OECD's recent biannual report on New Zealand's economy contained an entire chapter documenting the failures of the education system and their profound economic and social impact. A 4% hit to national productivity already in decline - and entrenched inequality. Our politicians made us a poorer and more divided nation.
THE BLAME GAME
This story is from the May 25-31 2024 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 25-31 2024 edition of New Zealand Listener.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![Ewes know it](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/-hEIPnZu21719916123303/EWES-KNOW-IT.jpg)
Ewes know it
'It has been my life's work,\" I announced grandly and quite possibly pompously the other day to Greg, no other audience being available, \"to advocate for the advancement of sheep.\" He pointed out that this was patently untrue. If it was true, he said annoyingly, although quite possibly reasonably, I'd have started my life's work a bit earlier, given that I had taken up this selfless work only seven years ago, the length of time we have been at Lush Places.
![A moral panic](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/DtpZYTk5R1719915986534/A-MORAL-PANIC.jpg)
A moral panic
America's top doctor wants smoking-style warning labels for social media platforms.
![Give and take](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/nDnf2HtPH1719915864246/GIVE-AND-TAKE.jpg)
Give and take
We're likely to reciprocate if someone's nice to us unexpectedly.
![Culture club](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/I7xXPlCeX1719915513405/CULTURE-CLUB.jpg)
Culture club
Whether you make yoghurt at home with your own starter or buy a commercial brand, the health benefits remain roughly the same.
![Now for the news](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/JdsvfRGI-1719915342669/NOW-FOR-THE-NEWS.jpg)
Now for the news
How will Stuff's take on broadcast news match up to its polished predecessor?
![Time to rewind](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/7E_XSMUMn1719915178146/TIME-TO-REWIND.jpg)
Time to rewind
A leaner NZ International Film Festival programme still offers promising local debuts and some art cinema classics.
![Come dancing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/DI5ZgJ6B-1719914977468/COME-DANCING.jpg)
Come dancing
Albums from Anna Coddington and Peggy Gou are smart and sassy. Bonny Light Horseman leans on heartache.
![Calling on the muse](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/QuXqJroNy1719914762274/CALLING-ON-THE-MUSE.jpg)
Calling on the muse
Kiwi journalist Garth Cartwright recalls his audience with the late Françoise Hardy in Paris.
![Artist of high standing](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/_R34EwYxP1719914444319/ARTIST-OF-HIGH-STANDING.jpg)
Artist of high standing
Waiheke Island sculptor Anton Forde talks about creating the largest contemporary pou installation of his career.
!['You were salvation'](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/13970/1746480/0oWNU7jfL1719914205198/YOU-WERE-SALVATION.jpg)
'You were salvation'
A repurposed supply vessel provides a lifeline to migrants who risk their lives to cross the Mediterranean in a desperate bid for a new life.