Mallard Way Off Target
The Government's plan to offer cash bonuses for young secondary school teachers to remain in their positions for two
years shows that Education Minister Trevor Mallard is clearly missing the point when it comes to the country's drastic
teacher shortage, ACT New Zealand Associate Education Spokesman Deborah Coddington said today.
"The Minister seems to think quantity and quality are one and the same. Why else would he offer $1,500 - a paltry sum
in itself - to lure teachers into positions? The emphasis should be on quality - our young people deserve better than
teachers recruited under a `bums on seats' mentality," said Ms Coddington.
"Has Mr Mallard even asked graduates whether a $1,500 payment towards their student loan is enough to keep them at
home? Research, conducted by his own ministry, shows that many students plan to leave the country as soon as they
receive their qualification.
"Mr Mallard's cash incentive cannot hope to compete with the sums these young people will earn overseas. The Minister
is trying to bribe young teachers - while alienating older, more experienced teachers who are seemingly ineligible for
such cash incentives.
"Mr Mallard needs to address the real reasons why teachers are leaving the country - the one size fits all, Nanny State
knows best, anti-competitive delivery of education, which does not allow good teachers to be paid top salaries like
other professionals," said Ms Coddington.