Tauranga MP Simon Bridges is defending the introduction of national standards as the system comes under increasing criticism from teachers, principals and unions.
He describes national standards as a ground breaking initiative and a critical part of the government's plan to lift education standards across the country.

'National standards will help the one in five students currently leaving school without the basic skills they need.”
'From this year, primary and intermediate schools will report to parents twice a year in plain language on their child's progress in reading, writing and maths.”
National standards have come under mounting attack as its introduction becomes a reality this week.
Some Tauranga principals fear the system could brand students as failures for much of their time at primary school and intermediate.
Education union NZEI has launched a nationwide campaign against national standards and some New Zealand schools are refusing to adopt the system.
Simon says national standards will identify children who are slipping behind and enable parents and teachers to help them before it is too late.
'National standards will be independently monitored and evaluated over the next three years to make sure we get it right.”
'The National-led government will continue to work hard this year alongside schools, parents and communities to make sure our children get the quality education they deserve.”