Support boost for schools

The Government says it will create 600 new positions in schools for learning support coordinators to take the pressure off teachers.

Learning support teachers will work in schools to ensure children with diverse learning needs get the support they need to learn, according to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

The first co-ordinators won’t be in place till 2020 under the scheme, which will cost $217 million over four years.

The Government says it will roll out more positions over future years.

The roles are not new though they have been renamed – schools already employ Special Educational Needs Co-ordinators (SENCO), but they are usually an existing senior staff member – often teachers or deputy principals – and the work is on top of their other duties.

Ministers were unable to answer yesterday, however, the number of teachers currently employed as SENCOs in schools.

Teacher union the NZEI has been campaigning for schools to have a fully funded permanent and designated SENCO in every school. Its campaign followed a survey that showed most vulnerable children were missing out at school because of a lack of one-toone support.

The announcement about learning support co-ordinators was made at the end of Labour’s three-day annual conference.

The Government has been under pressure from striking teachers to address poor pay and conditions as well as widespread teacher shortages.

Another round of primary teacher strikes is due next week.

Teachers say low pay and high workloads are part of the reason for recruitment problems.

Ardern said learning support co-ordinators would work alongside teachers, parents and other professionals to give students individualised support.

‘‘These co-ordinators will not only help unlock the potential of thousands of children with learning needs, they’ll free up teachers so all children get more quality classroom time to learn.’’

The final job description is not decided yet and will be consulted on. The co-ordinator-pupil ratio for urban and rural schools is also yet to be decided.

SCOTT HAMMOND/STUFF Bailey McKenzie, 8, (in chair) with teacher aide Rina Pinker, of Whitney Street School in Blenheim, as they protested assistant teachers’ pay and conditions in August.