Drama New Zealand

Reading between the lines there are two responses one could make.

1. MOE is as frustrated as secondary drama teachers are by the lack of funding for school support services provided by the Government and are feeling hamstrung by the Minister’s insistence on directing her budget into reading, writing, and maths in primary schools and into her other pet project – the flagrant spending of $26 million to propagandarise the NZ public about the so-called merits of her misguided, mis-judged and inappropriate National Standards in Primary Schools folly. We should feels sorry for MOE.

2. We should all, individually and in an avalanche take Prue Kyle at her word and:
a) address any queries about The Arts learning area, and the drama component of it, to Chris Arcus, New Zealand Curriculum Project Manager, at chris.arcus@minedu.govt.nz. In 2010 Ministry staff will continue to give leadership to all areas of the curriculum. Chris will be able to refer on any questions to the relevant people within the Ministry.
b) as individual Drama New Zealand members who feel affected by these cuts to the advisory services are advised to make their feelings known by communicating through their local branches with the Ministry of Education as to the impact of the cuts on their ability to deliver teaching programmes and qualifications.

No point in expecting the advisors to become available if we do not actively pursue and demand active advice and support as we try to implement a nationally coherent NEW curriculum.

David Chambers