Proposed collective agreement addresses key issues

Proposed collective agreement addresses key issues for teachers

The proposed collective employment agreement with the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) addresses the key claims put forward by primary teachers, the Ministry of Education said today.

“This significant agreement addresses pay, workload and qualifications issues. The salary increases are pitched to retain their current competitiveness, and in particular, provide further recognition for those teachers with additional responsibility,” said Ministry of Education Senior Manager Chris Collins.

“The three year term of the proposed agreement (expiring in June 2007) allows sufficient time to work constructively in a settled environment on issues that will make a difference to student learning and teacher effectiveness.

“We’re proposing, for the first time for primary teachers, a long term strategic work programme which will see the Ministry of Education, the NZEI, and the New Zealand School Trustees Association working in partnership to focus on a number of professional issues.

“These will include high quality professional development that continues throughout a teacher’s career, advanced teaching qualifications and career pathways for professional and educational leadership.

“For the first time, the proposed agreement gives primary teachers classroom release time which will help reduce workload pressure and give them time to further develop their teaching practice.

“Our overarching goal must be to have all students leaving school having succeeded to the best of their abilities. Critical to student success is the quality and effectiveness of the teaching they have received,” said Ms Collins.

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