Twoweek window for school grants

WELLINGTON: Schools have been given only two weeks to apply for $10,000 grants to take on beginner teachers next year.

Longawaited criteria for the new grants, which were signalled on October 14, were finally released by the Ministry of Education on Friday.

Applications close just two weeks later, at the end of next week, November 16 — the same week primary teachers are due to stage regional strikes in support of their 16% pay claim.

The grants are intended to cover the cost of schools providing mentoring and support to the new graduates, who must be hired for at least a year.