Education Workforce Advisory Group needs to deliver

The sector working group announced by Minister Hipkins this morning has been given a hugely important job to do with a tight timeline. It’s a challenge, but it’s definitely do-able according to NZSTA President and working group member, Lorraine Kerr.

The group has made a great start already with its vision for a workforce that is capable, valued and connected, and supported . The work that underpins the high-level statement is an important stake in the ground that lets students, schools, parents and sector groups see what needs to work in order to put well trained, well suited and well supported teachers in front of every student.

"There is an overwhelming body of evidence that shows the quality of teachers and teaching is the single most important factor in improving the outcomes and experiences our children and young people get from their time at school," says Lorraine.

"The rest of the system is there to clear the decks and take care of business so that we have those high-quality teachers, and they’re able, focussed and supported to do what they do to the highest quality every day in every school with every student.

The working group is required to deliver a workforce strategy based on its vision by the end of July this year, to be followed by an action plan to implement it, which is due by the end of September.

"The bottom line is, we need to deliver on this and we need to do it soon."

ENDS

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