“The demise of night classes is bad for schools, for communities and for thousands of people who use them to learn something new.”

That is Bill English in 2006 talking about the possible demise of night classes. It did not happen, but he is doing his best to make sure it does now. This quote was used by a couple of participants at tonight’s meeting organised by Wellington High School to oppose the night class cuts. As with the others around the country there was a good turnout with around 150 people.  Many people there had great stories of how school based night classes had made a major difference in their lives. One woman talked about how it  had given her the confidence to go from being someone who had not finished school and was on a benefit through to a degree and a job. But more than that she felt  it had given her children an understanding of the importance and value of education.

Alongside the short-sightedness of the cuts from an educational, economic and social point of view, the other thing that hit home tonight is the impact on the tutors and coordinators.  If as is likely many school pull out of provision, they will be out of a job. One person came to me tonight who is the sole breadwinner in her household, and her full income ($25,000) is from her tutoring job. There are thousands more in her position.  From a government that says its number one priority is jobs it is just one more contradiction.

Judging from tonight and the other meetings there is plenty of fight in this campaign. The saddest note of the evening was the refusal of the  Minister or any other National MP to show up.  As Trevor bravely showed in School Review process a few years ago, Ministers have an obligation to defend spending decisions. Anne Tolley  or someone should have been there.