16 May 2002

Education Minister Trevor Mallard welcomed the settlement today of the secondary teacher collective agreement.

“While the agreement still needs to be ratified, it is a significant milestone and will allow teachers and the government to focus more clearly on a positive future for teaching and learning at a secondary level,” Trevor Mallard said.

“When it comes down to it, government and teachers want quality education for New Zealand students. I believe the agreement reached supports that objective.

“In particular it goes to the heart of two key issues – that of teacher recruitment and retention and teacher workload.

“The government is concerned with these issues, and I think our commitment to working with teachers to address them is reflected in today’s settlement. For example the extra 1850 teachers by 2006 will ease workload pressure and have positive flow on effects to recruitment and retention. There will be 375 extra teachers in secondary schools next year.1

“The settlement also shows the government has listened to teachers’ concerns around the implementation of the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) with a temporary allowance for teachers who meet agreed criteria.

“New Zealand offers a high standard of secondary education. The government has an interest in working closely with the sector to maintain and improve those standards. We want to ensure that young New Zealanders are able to reach their potential through education with the skills and qualifications they need to take part in our transforming society.

“I look forward to a positive relationship with the PPTA,” Trevor Mallard said.

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