Categories: News

Give us more teaching time, say schools

Teachers’ union NZEI Te Riu Roa says new national educational surveys confirm claims that teachers and principals are being denied the time to teach and lead, and that children’s education is suffering as a result.

The surveys by the New Zealand Council of Educational Research (NZCER) revealed that although teachers and principals are working longer hours, they are so consumed with paperwork that children’s education is suffering.

Teachers had noticed a dramatic decrease in children’s abilities in “key competencies” since the last survey, says NZEI, including taking risks in their learning, different ways of looking at things and taking part in hands-on activities.

“New Zealand children deserve the best education in the world, and New Zealand can afford to provide it to them,” said NZEI president Lynda Stuart.

These surveys show children are missing out on some opportunities to learn because teachers and principals are bogged down in administration or are struggling to get support for children with additional learning needs.

“The surveys reinforce our members’ call for teachers to be freed up to teach and principals given more time to lead so that every child can achieve their potential.

“The new government has an opportunity to fix the funding crisis that the previous government left behind, and finally do what works for children’s learning.

“Members have already indicated they’ll want action on time, and pay in their collective agreement bargaining next year,” Ms Stuart said.

School News

School News is not affiliated with any government agency, body or political party. We are an independently owned, family-operated magazine.

Recent Posts

English curriculum draft out for consultation

The much-delayed English draft curriculum is now out for consultation, generating discussion from teachers.

2 weeks ago

Arts, culture and recreation positive for the wellbeing of rangatahi

Research from AUT demonstrates arts, culture and recreation have positive impacts on all aspects of…

2 weeks ago

School phone ban one year on: our student survey reveals mixed feelings about its success

How effective has the school phone ban been in achieving its aims? Researchers from the…

2 weeks ago

Learning growing and exploring with school camps and excursions

School camps and excursions deliver hands on learning experiences, helping to consolidate classroom learning.

2 weeks ago

Could an AV system improve learning outcomes and student engagement?

Innovations in AV technologies present new opportunities to engage with students. We look at how…

2 weeks ago

What makes a good teacher?

A new report from the University of Auckland’s Our Voices Project asks young people what…

4 weeks ago