Govt needs to step up over inequality – PPTA

Govt needs to step up over inequality – PPTA

It’s time for the government to step up with professional development and resources to help secondary schools deal with the inequality that walks through their doors.

PPTA president Kate Gainsford said while OECD data showed New Zealand was a top performer in many areas, tackling inequality was an area that needed serious resources and funding. This was illustrated in ERO’s latest report on promoting success for Maori students, which showed support was still needed to promote Maori achievement in schools.

“It’s what we do next that counts. It is not about national standards as the minister would have it. We know who the students are that are struggling, we know what works, and we know we need the resources to create the bridge, to make a difference in the classroom,” Gainsford said.

PPTA advocated for good, evidence-based professional development, but had been frustrated with the system’s inability, or lack of willingness, to resource the very practices that made a difference to student achievement and Maori student success in particular, she said.

“Having a policy is fine - that is what Ka Hikitea is but you need well organised, well resourced, well researched programmes in action and we have not got that yet.”

Secondary teachers had met with similar reluctance in discussion about the need for evidence-based professional development in schools during collective agreement negotiations, Gainsford said.

“We have seen programmes that we know succeed cut, or shied away from, because they are expensive in terms of time and money. That tells us that although there is priority in the government’s words, in actual fact this is not where the money is being spent - schools cannot do this on their own,” she said.

ENDS

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