Foreigners wanted in teacher crisis
Auckland principals facing a ‘‘staffing crisis’’ want it to be much easier for foreigners to teach here.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education is hastening to streamline the process for overseastrained teachers to have their qualifications recognised.
Auckland Primary Principals’ Association president Kevin Bush said the intervention was muchneeded.
‘‘We’ve got a staffing crisis in Auckland, so we need good quality teachers,’’ Bush said.
‘‘If they’re good quality teachers, let’s get them in our country, and streamline the process to make it happen. We need them.’’
Foreign teachers currently face a long and expensive process to have their qualifications recognised here, he said.
That involved working with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA), the Education Council and Immigration NZ.
‘‘There are a number of hoops they have to jump through. There’s a teacher in my school, and her American qualifications are taking a long time to get recognised through NZQA.
‘‘It would be very concerning if they’re warning their colleagues overseas not to come here.’’
He estimated overseas-trained teachers only made up about five per cent of teaching staff in Auckland, but said more were needed.