12/03/2023
Teachers Strike this Thursday - Its more than just about Pay.
With the strike this Thursday I thought it was important to highlight that even though our centre is open, we are supporting and hoping for the same outcomes as all other teachers in NZ right now as we continue our fight for recognition of our teaching status through Pay Parity, better government funding and most importantly far more support for some of our most vulnerable tamariki.
Did you know that our Registered Teachers have the same Qualification and Teacher Registration Requirements as all other teachers in NZ?? We are expected to provide the same evidence for registration as well as plan a developmentally appropriate curriculum, provide assessments on children’s learning, and attend professional development and with a lack of time off the floor, a lot is done in our own time. Sadly, kindergarten teachers get more time off the floor, and its funded, more holidays, much higher pay, and somehow their ratios are far less than our requirements.
The teacher shortage in NZ is a real thing regardless of what the Education Minister says. We as a centre are being severely impacted by this right now and it’s putting a lot of stress and strain on what teachers we do have here. Although we are doing all we can, burn out is a real thing we are all trying to avoid.
We are all struggling with the lack of funding for special education support workers and the increased expectations on workload in this area. Our centre has upskilled our teachers in Special Education and have robust policies and procedures in place to do the best we can and we are very proud of our work in this area, however more support from the MOE is required especially when transitioning these tamariki to school.
Every study highlights the first five years of a child's life are fundamentally important. They are the foundation that shapes children's future health, happiness, growth, development and learning achievement at school, in the family, community, and in life in general.
So, this Thursday please think of our team as we hope of having the same things 50,000 other teachers are striking for someday soon.
