The government's accused of rushing through changes to the Education and Training Act

Critics say changes proposed in the System Reform Amendment Bill shift the balance of power from teachers, communities, and boards - to the Minister.

The bill passed its first reading on Tuesday, and submissions are open until mid-January.

New Zealand Education Institute President Ripeka Lessels says that's not enough time.

She says this overlaps with the summer holidays, further shortening the submission window.

She says this could be a deliberate strategy.