Diploma Points System Upsets G1,2,3= Teachers
“G1,2,3= non degree teachers reject the idea of fixing the disparity in last year’s pay settlement with a new salary
determination based around a points system,” said Maggie Lovekin, spokesperson for Paydisparity, a Secondary Teachers
Lobby Group today. She was responding to press reports that the Ministerial Taskforce had invented a new Diploma
qualification that would force non-degree teachers to go through a further audit before getting pay equality with their
peers.
“Comments made to us by teachers affected by the 2002 Secondary Teachers Contract round, suggest that G1,2,3= teachers
are not happy with the combined PPTA/Ministry inspired answer to their issues,” said Maggie Lovekin
“This is not a way of moving forward” said Maggie, “it’s a step backwards. Most of the affected teachers have already
passed through a points system some twenty years ago, and have been considered degree equivalent for the whole of their
service up until now.”
“Grandparenting those teachers through is the only fair and equitable way to resolve this and that has been done before
too.” Said Ms Lovekin. “In the past when contract or qualification changes took place teachers already in the system
were carried through with the changes – this is how it should be again.”
“I question the PPTA’s numbers of those affected. I understand from our contacts with affected teachers that it is a far
greater number than those currently indicated. Our figures suggest there is a much greater number to consider – up to
3,000 secondary and some 8,000 primary teachers.”
“PPTA should be legally challenging the interpretation of the Ministry on behalf of those Technology, Commerce, Art,
Music and other teachers, instead of coming up with another points system that demeans those teachers again. ”