Media statement
For immediate release
Tuesday, 4 March 2008

Turner: 4 % is not enough

A 4% pay rise for each of the next three years is not nearly enough to value teachers and support staff for the work they do every day for kiwi kids, says Judy Turner UnitedFuture education spokesperson and former teacher.

Mrs Turner is commenting on the ratification yesterday of the collective agreement between school support staff, primary school principals and teachers, and teachers and principals in area schools and the Government.

“4% is only just keeping up with inflation. It’s a dismal reward for the hard work, barraging and criticism teachers come under. It’s not enough to attract bright sparks into teaching and it won’t keep in the profession the person who brought out the terrific in your timid 9-year old.

“That this is the largest pay increase for support staff is particularly damning. Support staff have got the short straw for years now yet they are just as vital to a school as the person in front of the class.

“A suspicious mind might wonder if the timing wasn’t to get the teachers’ union off the government’s back in an election year.

“Bottom line: teachers are worth more,” said Mrs Turner.

ENDS

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