Kindergarten Teachers Win Settlement

Embargoed till Monday July 2 Monday July 2 2007

From NZEI Te Riu Roa Media Advisory

Kindergarten Teachers Win Settlement to Secure Quality and Stability

Kindergarten teachers' negotiators and the Ministry of Education and Kindergarten Associations have reached a settlement on kindergarten teachers' terms and conditions, the education union NZEI Te Riu Roa says.

"The settlement balances the need of kindergartens to offer more flexibility to their communities with teachers' requirement to maintain the quality of education provided at kindergartens where operating hours are changing," NZEI Negotiations Team Leader Judith Nowotarski says.

The settlement aims to provide security and stability for teachers during a period of significant change in the sector, including the introduction of the 20 free hours for three and four year olds, Ms Nowotarski says.

It includes agreements giving teachers time to assess children's learning during the week, and providing time for professional learning and planning during the year. This includes opportunities for head teachers at kindergartens to develop their professional leadership skills.

The proposed settlement will be considered by the 1750 kindergarten teachers who belong to NZEI Te Riu Roa at a series of paid union meetings likely to begin on July 30th. The teachers' negotiating team is recommending that the teachers ratify the proposed settlement.

ENDS

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