PPTA presses for technology strategy

PPTA presses for technology strategy

The Ministry of Education needs to develop a strategy to deliver technology education in secondary schools and a viable recruitment and training model for technology teachers, NZPPTA told the Education and Science Select Committee today.

PPTA has also recommended that the Ministry investigate the development of a two-year funded training course to get technology teachers with trades backgrounds into schools and give them a pathway to the top of the salary scale.

PPTA executive member (Southland) and graphics teacher Penney Dunckley said technology education in schools was in a state of crisis. Schools urgently needed more trained and qualified technology teachers with trades and technology backgrounds to meet the diverse needs of students and communities.

“Schools are struggling to recruit and retain technology teachers to cover the full range of technological areas.

“Some are moving to the trades because of better pay and working conditions and we’re not getting new technology teachers coming through because there is no way for them to reach the top of the pay scale if they come into teaching without a degree level qualification - which is the case with potential teachers from the trades.”

She said technology teachers were also grappling with a complex curriculum whose abstract and theoretical nature was not always the best fit for their students. Many students were put off by the curriculum’s emphasis on process and not product.

“It seems as if the Ministry is trying to push technology teaching through a door marked ‘technology curriculum while teachers themselves in droves are pushing their way through a door marked ‘giving students practical skills for work’.

“Teachers tell us that you can draw a picture of a scone but never make it, and still be rated a success, or pass hard materials without necessarily picking up a hammer.

“There is nothing worse for many students to have spent hours crafting amazing products only to fail their assessment because they erred on the process.”

Mrs Dunckley said the problems with technology in schools were multifaceted. “There is no quick fix but we hope the Select Committee will be able to convince the Ministry of Education that what is required is a coherent five-10 year strategy which addresses the full range of curriculum, assessment, resourcing, retention, status and recruitment issues.

ENDS

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