Close the Schools and Build the Jails

Images, UC QuakeStudies

A protest sign painted on a fence shows a bulldozer labelled "Govt." driven by a woman (presumably representing Education Minister Hekia Parata) running over a sheep labelled "Chch schools", next to the words "Every time you close a school you have to build a jail - Mark Twain." The photographer comments, "Due to the earthquakes in Christchurch and parents leaving the area to give their children a quieter and more education friendly life a lot of the local schools especially in the East of Christchurch are to be closed or amalgamated. This was a decision by the government without consultation with any other authorities. Mark Twain actually said 'Every time you stop a school, you will have to build a jail'".

Fairfax Video October 2012 (11)

Videos, UC QuakeStudies

A video of the Listen to Christchurch march which protested the government's proposed school closures in Christchurch. The march was organised by the New Zealand Education Institute. The video includes footage of protesters marching from the netball courts in Hagley Park to Riccarton Avenue, and a speech by Labour Party Leader David Shearer. It also includes interviews with Sandra Spekreijse, the chair of the NZEI Area Council, and local Jon Malis.