2 August 2018

Educators will be hitting the streets tomorrow before and after school, hosting a range of events in a day of community action.

“The idea is to explain to our parents, whānau and wider community what we are concerned about and why we need to go on strike on August 15,” says NZEI Te Riu Roa President Lynda Stuart.

“Most of them have a really good understanding of this and we have had lots of public support. Parents and caregivers know we are not taking this strike lightly and that it has been 24 years since we have taken such action.

“Many are messaging us and saying they understand the issues we are fighting for and that they support us. This is about their children and the future of education. They get that. They see the effect every day - from the parents and caregivers trying to get support for their child with additional needs to those who are worried about doubling-up classes when there are not enough teachers to go around.

“We need more time to teach, to lead and get every child the support that they need. There will be many more children in primary schools in 12 years’ time and there are fewer people training to be teachers.

"We have a serious recruitment and retention issue. Within a decade New Zealand will be short 1,800 primary teachers. We have public support and there is a growing consensus our issues need to be addressed by the Government.

"Teachers and principals have much higher high workloads, lack of support for students with additional learning and behavioural needs, and an undervaluing of the profession. This is a result of nine years of under-funding in the sector. We need to address the pay rates."

The vast majority of teachers (about 86%) are being offered a pay rise ranging from about 2.2-2.6% a year for three years.

Workload issues have been largely ignored, as has the request to fund a Special Education Needs Coordinator (SENCO) in every school, to assist children with additional learning needs.

The community events on Friday are being run at the “grassroots” with schools from throughout the country taking part.

Events include morning teas and talking to parents, rallies and “toots for support” on streets and at roundabouts, petition walls, message trees for teachers, coffee at the school gate, powhiri, and children making videos about why they value school.

There are hundreds events all over the country. Contact Kate Drury if you wish to attend an event.

ENDS

© Scoop Media