Former Tauranga Primary principal Jenny McNicol says today's 'political interference” of the Tomorrow's School model is rendering the model redundant because schools are powerless to make important decisions.

After more than 40 years in the education sector, Jenny retired from her 17-year stint as principal on July 12 and says one of the biggest changes to the country's education system, since her first teaching job in 1968, was the introduction of Tomorrow's Schools.

Former Tauranga Primary School principal Jenny McNicol retired on Friday, July 12. Photo: Daniel Hines.

Tomorrow's Schools was the result of 1989 reforms to the New Zealand education system designed to increase schools ability to self-manage.

The changes saw the replacement of the Education Department, education boards and school committees with an independent Ministry of Education, Education Review Office and board of trustees.

While the reforms were designed to allow schools to take more inside initiative, Jenny believes that power is now being pulled back to the Government.

'More recently we've seen what I would like to call the political interference to pull the power back to central Government. The responsibility still stays with the school, but the real decision making has gone back to politicians I think.”

Jenny's first job as principal was in 1986 under the old system governed by the Department of Education. In 1988 Jenny became principal of Te Puru School when school administration underwent major changes with the inception of Tomorrow's Schools.

An example of schools not having control is the recent debate to increase class sizes, says Jenny. She says her first class was small but grew to 42 students in her second year of teaching.

'We try and keep the class sizes down today, but they're still not at optimum size. Again that's a political call it's not something the schools have decisions over.”

As Jenny closes the door on more than 40 years in the education sector, she looks forward to a well-earned rest.

She and her husband have bought a house at Lake Rotoiti and next year the couple plan to visit Canada, where Jenny spent 2005 on a teaching exchange.

'I'd like to think I've done what I can to inspire and encourage kids to be the best they can be. It's a bit of give and take.

'I've had some wonderful experiences being a teacher and I would hope that other people would share that sentiment with me.

'I think it doesn't take you long to realise that you can make a real difference in someone's life and you work to do that. But what you get back in return is often greater than what you can give.”

Deputy principal Fiona Hawes is stepping into the role and says she is looking forward to starting her ‘dream job' as principal of Tauranga Primary School when Term 3 commences on July 29.