Alliance backs boosting teachers conditions

Alliance Party media release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday 23 August
2007

Alliance backs boosting teachers conditions

Alliance Education Spokesperson Richard Wallis says the lack of progress in teachers conditions and class sizes shows a lack of political will to improve our education system.

Mr Wallis, who works as a secondary teacher, says the situation shows the Labour-led Government does not value the education of today’s youth.

He says it is disappointing but not surprising that New Zealand’s secondary teachers have had to step back from their three year wage claim and lodge a one year claim.

"If they did they would have put forward a better offer than 3% + 3.25% + 4% over 3 years and made significant offers in other areas of the claim."

Mr Wallis says the Government has rejected out of hand any improvement in class sizes.

"This sends a clear signal that this Government has no interest in seriously improving the education of New Zealand’s youth."

The Alliance education policy is to resource our education system to ensure that no class exceeds twenty students in size – something that a recent PPTA survey showed that parents and teachers wanted, says Mr Wallis.

Mr Wallis says the Alliance backs the PPTA in its efforts to improve the learning environment of New Zealand students.

"Teachers working conditions are students learning conditions. This is something Mr. Maharey and his Labour colleges would do well to remember."

ENDS

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