Education unions announce next steps on “bulk funding”

Embargoed until 8.15am 20 September 2016

Education unions announce vote result and next steps in “bulk funding” campaign

The members of NZEI Te Riu Roa and PPTA have delivered a resounding rejection of the Government’s latest funding proposal, with more than 99% voting against it in meetings around the country, and calling for further action.

Teachers and support staff believe the “global funding” proposal is effectively a return to the failed bulk funding experiment of the 1990s and could result in fewer teachers and larger class sizes, to the detriment of children’s education.

Most kindergartens, primary and secondary schools were represented at the meetings.

There were three parts to the vote:

1. That this meeting rejects the Global Budget bulk funding model because it undermines the equity and quality of our education system. 99 percent vote in favour

2. That this meeting call on the government to instruct the ministry to work collaboratively with the sector to develop a funding system that recognises the real costs of delivering an equitable quality education to all learners. 99 percent vote in favour

3. That the unions continue to work together with their communities to campaign for better funding for education. 99 percent vote in favour

At a media conference at Wellington’s Clyde Quay School this morning, NZEI Te Riu Roa President Louise Green and PPTA President Angela Roberts confirmed a member mandate to take further action against global funding.

“This funding proposal has created unprecedented concern – and unity – across the education sector. Educators see no benefits but great risks to education if global funding is to go ahead,” said Ms Green.

Ms Roberts said the Government should take bulk funding off the table and instead engage with the sector over better ways to address inequity and chronic under-funding of the system.

PPTA and NZEI will continue the campaign with the launch of a Better Funding, Better Learning roadshow starting in main centres on the first day of Term 4 (Monday October 10th). A national school bus tour as part of the roadshow will support schools and centres all over the country. Members of the public will be asked to sign postcards to the Minister of Education, rejecting bulk funding and calling for better funding of education.

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