$10.5m to attract teachers

The Government is throwing more money at the teachers’ shortage but a union boss says it is unlikely to sway teachers voting on strike action.

Education Minister Chris Hipkins announced yesterday a $10.5 million funding boost to address a 850-teacher shortfall in schools next year.

It comes as primary teachers prepare to begin voting tomorrow on whether to hold a second round of strike action after rejecting the Ministry of Education’s latest pay offer in September. NZ Educational Institute (NZEI) president Lynda Stuart said she did not expect the extra funding would sway teachers in their vote but it was up to members to decide.

‘‘It’s heartening to see the Government wanting to address the shortage but none of what they have put in front of us will address the underlying issues.’’

The new funding package included $5m for overseas relocation grants and finder’s fees.

Under the scheme, a grant would also encourage schools to employ more teaching graduates.

At present only 80 per cent of graduates get a teaching job when they finish training. Schools could apply for one of 230 grants of $10,000 to fill vacancies.

Hipkins said schools and parents, particularly in Auckland, were concerned about the shortage of teachers coming into the system.

‘‘We are determined to pull out all the stops to meet next year’s projected shortfall,’’ he said.

An extra 650 primary teachers and 200 secondary teachers were needed by 2019 to meet rising demands, according to the Ministry of Education.

However, Stuart said these figures were too conservative and there were wider issues within the teaching profession.

‘‘We need a significant pay jolt, smaller class sizes, more time for planning and assessment, and more support for children with additional learning needs.’’

Overseas recruitment was necessary given schools have reached crisis point but it was a bandaid solution, she said.

‘‘There’s a global shortage of teachers and if we don’t do something about the workload and remuneration of teachers, overseas teachers won’t last in the system any longer than our homegrown teachers.’’

Her comments come after primary school teacher Sarah Coup spoke out this week on being on the verge of burnout.

While she hated the idea of striking, Coup said it was necessary to bring attention to ‘‘a system that has been on the downhill slide for nine years’’.

In August, thousands joined a one-day strike after rejecting an earlier pay offer.

‘‘It’s heartening to see the Government wanting to address the shortage.’’ NZ Educational Institute president Lynda Stuart