Online education may replace schools

Online education may replace schools

Students of all ages could soon be learning online at home, rather than in the classroom at school.

The move is part of the Government's push to create more options for parents and students - and while it's been given the thumbs up by those Newshub spoke to today - as Maiki Sherman explains not everyone is impressed.

The after school pickup run - a task many parents could soon avoid with the introduction of online schooling.

Students Newshub spoke to were equally keen - saying technology goes hand-in-hand with their generation.

The move would enable schools to partner with online learning providers - either another registered school or tertiary institute, or the private sector.

Providers will determine whether students need to physically attend the teaching for all or some of the school day.

And regulations will set out the way online attendance is measured.

"What we're providing for if the Bill goes through is that anyone who wants to apply to be an online provider must meet a very rigorous accreditation process so as minister I'd be required to look at each one on their own individual merits," Education Minister Hekia Parata says.

"If this is just modernising the correspondence school Te Kura then it's long overdue, but if it's about extending the charter school into the digital environment then there's some real risks about that," Labour's education spokesman Chris Hipkins says.

Teacher unions are concerned the latest move could favour the private sector.

"We use and welcome and embrace digital tools. They are tools though, they are tools for learning - they do not replace a teacher," NZEI spokesperson Louise Green says.

"We want to make sure New Zealand kids are digitally fluent, that they can take advantage of technology [and] that we can provide opportunities for learning," Ms Parata says.

The option will be offered to all school aged children.

The Government's education policies are often criticised by the Opposition and unions, but the most important opinions come from both parents and children - many of whom like the idea.

Newshub.