April 1 2009 For immediate release
School Support Staff Conditions Must Be Addressed

Action From Government On Education Must Include Addressing School Support Staff Conditions

Education union NZEI Te Riu Roa has urged Education Minister Anne Tolley to put words into action if she is to support the challenges school principals face on a daily basis.

Speaking at a principals’ conference yesterday [SPANZ, Rotorua, March 31st], Ms Tolley said her Government was “action oriented” and focused on “delivering better educational outcomes for all children”.

NZEI National Secretary Paul Goulter says NZEI welcomes Ms Tolley’s recognition of the vital importance of professional leadership by principals in making the difference for children’s learning.

“However, principals are telling us they need support to free them up from the administrative demands they face to focus more on their professional leadership role: Ms Tolley makes this very point in her speech. For that, they need essential support staff such as administration officers, bursars and executive officers.

“Without these support staff, a school could not run. Yet the Government has delayed negotiations to address fair pay and job security for these staff for months now. They need to see some action from the Government. We urge Ms Tolley to ensure the Ministry of Education is urgently provided with a mandate so that negotiations for their collective agreement can get underway.”

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