Parents matter more than the education system admits – Jonathan Ayling

In this opinion piece for the NZ Herald, Jonathan Ayling asserts that New Zealand's education system is fundamentally flawed in its approach, placing undue emphasis on institutional structures rather than the crucial role of parents. Ayling, a strategy consultant and professional director, argues that the current discourse begins in the wrong place by treating education as solely a product of the system, rather than a process deeply rooted in the family unit. He contends that parents are the primary educators and should be active participants, not passive observers, in their children's learning journeys. As New Zealand navigates significant reforms, including curriculum changes and a new qualification framework, Ayling stresses the need to re-center the conversation on the indispensable influence of parental engagement. This perspective champions a traditional view of family responsibility in education, suggesting that systemic changes will be less effective without acknowledging and empowering the foundational role of parents.

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As the primary educators, parents should not be spectators in a child’s education, Jonathan Ayling writes.