Rimutaka MP Chris Hipkins joined in World Teachers Day with a visit to Trentham Kingergarten in Upper Hutt last week. World Teachers Day celebrates the value of teaching and learning, with thousands of teachers, students, children and parents joining in a synchronised action at 12.30 pm on Friday putting their ‘Hands Up for Learning’.
“World Teachers Day is a chance for us to acknowledge and thank teachers, principals, support staff and parents for the contribution they all make to our children’s education and to building a better New Zealand,” Chris Hipkins said.
“I regularly visit schools throughout the electorate and I’m always impressed by what I see going on in our local classrooms. We have some fantastic people working in our schools and they really know how to bring out the best in kids.
“While we’re always focused on identifying where we aren’t doing well and how we can do better, now and then it’s nice to take a step back, pat our teachers on the back, and acknowledge the tremendous job they are doing.
“Quality education is fundamental to building a strong and healthy society. It’s about creating the skills that we need for all New Zealanders to achieve their full potential in life. Education is the foundation for a strong democracy, a cohesive society and a vibrant economy,” Chris Hipkins said.
“Teachers play a critical role in this. Years after we have left school, we remember the teachers who made a difference in our learning and our lives.
“No other profession has a greater role in helping all our children to develop to their full potential. Through education we can make sure every kiwi makes the strongest contribution that they are capable of to their community and the economy.
“We should also remember that learning is a life-time process. In this regard, the decimation of night classes and the end of a century long tradition and availability of night classes is an avoidable tragedy for our community. It is still not too late for the government to reconsider the stupidity of this action,” Chris Hipkins said.
Chris celebrates World Teachers Day
