Education Minister Erica Stanford is putting politics ahead of children’s learning with her changes to the school curriculum.

“Teachers and experts are saying loud and clear that they were shut out of this process. That’s not collaboration - that’s chaos,” Labour education spokesperson Willow-Jean Prime said.

“This is an indictment on Erica Stanford as Minister. Instead of listening to the people who know what works in classrooms, she’s putting political ideology before our kids’ futures.

“The curriculum should not be a political project. It should be sharpened by educators and experts to give every child the skills to think critically, solve problems and thrive in a fast-changing world.

“Instead, Erica Stanford is dragging us back to rote learning and the failed ideas behind national standards. Our kids need to learn how to think, not just recite.

“Labour will always put children and their futures first. National must stop this rushed, politically driven rollout and work with the sector to get it right,” Willow-Jean Prime said.