Principals embrace charter promising a fair go for teachers

Principals embrace charter promising a fair go for new teachers

9 May 2016

Primary school principals are enthusiastic about supporting a new charter guaranteeing a fair go for newly graduated primary teachers.

NZEI Te Riu Roa developed the Beginning Teachers Charter because of concerns that just 15% of new graduates are getting permanent teaching jobs.

Many who get work at all are getting relief work or short-term positions, which often means they don’t receive the support and mentoring they need for full certification within six years of graduating.

NZEI President Louise Green said this was a concern, “because if we want great teachers for our children, teachers need to be well supported from the beginning of their career.”

The charter guarantees that any beginning teachers the school employs will receive the induction and mentoring support they are entitled to. The school also commits to never employing new or beginning teachers on a trial or otherwise illegal fixed-term basis.

“Signatory schools receive a certificate and window stickers to show they support beginning teachers. It sends a very strong, positive message to a school’s current and prospective teaching staff,” said Ms Green.

The Education Council and New Zealand Principals' Federation have expressed their support for the charter. Positive conversations have also been held with the Ministry of Education.

Ms Green said the charter was about creating a shift in practice and awareness, but the long-term answer to a lack of permanent jobs for new graduates depended on the Ministry of Education undertaking workforce planning, which was sorely needed.

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