John Key

Wellington, July 15 NZPA - Teacher unions have been left in no doubt about the Government's determination to introduce national standards in maths, reading and writing.

The unions are worried the results could be used to create league tables which would compare the performance of schools and principals have threatened to withhold assessments unless they get assurances that won't happen.

"National standards will be in place for years one to eight at the start of the 2010 school year," Prime Minister John Key said today.

"There should be no doubt about the Government's commitment ... parents want them, this Government is going to deliver them and I am backing the Minister of Education 100 percent."

Education Minister Anne Tolley says the Government has no intention of creating league tables but she has ruled out a law change to restrict disclosure.

Ms Tolley is seeking opinions from the education sector and parents about how reports could be compiled without leading to league tables.

Mr Key, speaking to a business meeting in Wellington, said the Government wanted to introduce the standards in a constructive and co-operative spirit.

"We want them to be an aid to better teaching and learning rather than a cause of resentment in the sector," he said.

Mr Key later told reporters he was not threatening the unions.

"I believe we can find an amicable solution to the issue, we understand their concern about league tables," he said.

"But in the end we want to deliver national standards in plain English that parents can understand, that outline exactly where a child is relative to the national norm."

Mr Key said it needed to be understood that the Government was serious about national standards.

"We've got far too many youngsters who leave school with inadequate literacy and numeracy skills, they can't compete in the modern economy," he said.

"They can't contribute properly to the modern economy and unless we're prepared to tackle that at its very core we're going to continue to pump people out of schools who are hopelessly ill-equipped to compete."