Teachers’ Council Changes Mixed Bag

Media Release 4 November 2013
Attention: EDUCATION AND POLITICAL REPORTERS

Teachers’ Council Changes Mixed Bag

The New Zealand Principals’ Federation (NZPF) has expressed cautious optimism about some of the proposed changes to the NZ Teachers’ Council, which were announced last week by the Minister of Education, and is uneasy about the selection process of the governing board.

‘We are pleased to see the creation of an independent professional body, and can see the advantages of separating registration and practising certificates,’ said NZPF National President, Philip Harding.

‘The challenge for the Minister lies with winning the confidence and support of the profession and that won’t happen until there is clarity on the selection criteria and agreement on the selection process for the Council’s governing board,’ he said.

‘The profession funds the Teachers’ Council and would continue to support it only if the board was dominated by appointments that have professional knowledge and credibility, enjoy the respect and confidence of the profession and are not politically determined,’ he said.

Last week’s release which talked of sector nomination and Ministerial selection
was vague on the actual board appointment process.

‘If the number of professionals on the governing board makes up the majority and if the profession gets to nominate who represents them, confidence will grow. NZPF will be outlining a suitable board appointment process in its submission on the new Council’s structure.’

ENDS

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