MOE Caught Reversing Own Staff Decisions

Media Release: Education/Political Reporters
Sunday 20 October 2002

MOE Caught Reversing Own Staff Decisions

“The Ministry of Education is attempting to use the arbitration panel decision to reverse the decisions made by its own staff over the last decade about degree equivalent qualifications, ” Martin Cooney, spokesperson for the September 20 group said today.

“Our group is releasing today a letter which shows an example of a decision which the MOE is now trying to relitigate.”

“The teacher concerned was unable to enrol in 1999 for a secondary teacher training course without having a “Group 3” degree equivalent qualification. A Ministry staff member (from the Industrial Relations Unit) confirmed that after examination, her Diploma in Occupational Therapy was equivalent to a degree,” said Mr Cooney.

“This teacher is now a trained Science teacher in a New Zealand secondary school. She is typical of about 2,000 secondary teachers who were assessed as degree equivalent by the Ministry of Education or its predecessor the Department, ” said Mr Cooney. “Suddenly the MOE has decided to reassess them all again, breaking down the mediation process with PPTA. To proceed will result in huge legal and industrial implications. Our group is calling for urgent stopwork meetings from 30 October to deal with the issue. ”

For more information: Martin Cooney 03 385 2126 (H) 03 3526 119 (W)

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