The Leader of the Opposition, Labour MP Chris Hipkins, was Education Minister from 2017 to 2023. Over that time the proportion of children leaving school with NZCEA Level 1 plummeted from 89% to 82%; with NZCEA Level 2 plummeted from 80% to 72%; with NZCEA Level 3 from 51% to 47% and with University Entrance from 56% to 53%. With a record like that, I suggest Hipkins resign as an MP and take up the job of Vice Chancellor at one of our Universities, like his mate, Grant Robertson did at Otago. Robertson was best man at Hipkins wedding in 2020. Why not make it a grand slam & become the two best, leading men of our education system? The pay's great - Robertson's is over $600,000, even though he hasn't taught, nor published in learned journals, let alone done a PhD. Nowadays relevant work experience is not required. Life experience is fine. Maybe Chippy could be VC of Victoria University - then he can stay in Wellington, walk to Beehive Bellamy's for lunch, & keep advising how to run education for youngsters. Keep 'em online & locked down to keep 'em out of trouble; ain't it right, Chippy? Even though the young had close to zero chance of being hit badly by Covid. Which reminds me not, who was Covid Minister back then?
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