Bay principals and teachers are encouraging people to march through the city tomorrow in protest of the Government's proposed changes to education and Novopay.

Organised by teacher union NZEI, field officer Rachel Chater says teachers will march against the Government's new policies including national standards, performance pay, league tables and charter schools.

Te Puke Intermediate staff Amber Tapsell, principal Jill Weldon, senior teachers Stephen Knightly and Yvette Brown, and Regan Williams, are to march in Taraunga on Saturday to challenge the government's proposed policies for the education sector.

'Every country which has introduced these policies has further dropped in their OECD ranking,” says Rachel.

'So why are we introducing them here.”

She expects 1000 to 5000 to attend the event through Tauranga's CBD, which is part of a nationwide initiative to show support for those concerned with the government's direction of education policies – and impacts they may have on children and learning.

'The whole point is to show community support for schools – and to educate people on what is going on in the education system and why it is so scary.”

Merivale School principal Jan Tinetti believes the policies in question have proven to be ineffective around the world, 'and here we are trying to put them into practice here – it's almost like our kids are being used as New Zealand guinea pigs and it is unacceptable.”

All of Jan's 12 staff (full and part time) will join the march.

'I think it's great we're getting together to have this statement of protest about some of the policies coming in or being implemented in the education sector.”

Merivale parents are supportive of their school's concerns too.

'They are saying ‘we will be there' and ‘what can we do' – they are really concerned about some of the things that are happening,” says Jan.

'I've had parents ask about issues and say that they need to support the education system we have at moment. They want to let people know they are happy with the current education system and our teachers.”

'Stand up for kids – protect our schools” is the message of NZEI's march in Tauranga on Saturday to challenge government-proposed policies on education.

Te Puke Intermediate senior teacher Stephen Knightly is rallying his fellow staff to attend.

'We're marching to stand up for our students and make sure the Government understands that we will not let them make these policy changes without a fight.

'They clearly don't understand what works best for children and they're trying to pursue their ideas.”

Stephen says it is important for teachers to get among the community 'so it doesn't just hear one point of view from the Government”.

'We want to give up our own time to march - this is how important these issues are.”

Stephen says it will not only be teachers marching.

'We will bring children along with us because the march is for everyone and anyone who cares about the education system and cares about making sure our children have every opportunity to be successful in life – we feel what the government is doing, is trying to take this away from children.”

The march begins 11am at 2nd Ave, heads down Devonport Rd to the waterfront for a quick rally.

'We as parents, families, community members, and members of the public, need to show our support for our children and our schools by marching,” says Rachel.