Nowhere near enough teachers, report finds

Nowhere near enough teachers, report finds

A survey of secondary school principals has found that schools right around the country are experiencing significant teacher shortages.

Secondary principals’ council (NZSPC) chair James Morris says, “Until now it has been too easy for the government to dismiss our concerns. They don’t believe what we’ve been telling them, because they haven’t seen it with their own eyes.”

Sadly, the reason why this crisis is invisible is because we are all desperately making compromises in order to get a teacher in front of classes. The government needs to listen to the clear message principals are giving.”

“Bold moves must be made now to ensure students get access to the teachers they need. We need the right incentives in place to attract and retain the best teachers."

Secondary principals’ association (SPANZ) chair Michael Williams agrees, “Principals are feeling very frustrated that politicians are trivialising their concerns. This week the Prime Minister Bill English told reporters there was no problem at all, that teacher shortages were ‘seasonal’. Such flippant disregard for schools, teachers, children and whānau is disappointing.”

“Recent policy announcements for education are all fine, but without the right number of teachers, with the right skills and experience in our schools, they are completely irrelevant.”

Morris and Williams both agree the shortages are at crisis level and urge the government to put in place sustainable ways to attract and keep teachers in the profession.

ENDS

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