800 overseas teachers ready to fill vacancies

More than 800 overseas teachers are ready for schools to hire for

2019, the Ministry of Education says.

Its recent recruitment drive for foreign teachers aims to stem a national teacher shortage as education unions discuss a possible combined mega strike next year.

Yesterday morning, the ministry claimed it had received more than 5800 applications from overseas teachers to work in New Zealand, ‘‘with hundreds currently making their way through the recruitment pipeline’’.

That is about 2800 more applications than in mid-November. Schools have hired

150 overseas applicants through ministry recruitment agents – 50 more than last month.

‘‘We are confident that the interest we are getting from overseas teachers on a daily basis is enough to meet demand for teachers in both primary and secondary schools,’’ ministry deputy secretary Ellen MacGregor-Reid said.

She encouraged school principals to advertise their vacancies before December 21 ‘‘to be in the best possible position to fill their roles in time’’.

About 270 vacancies have been lodged with the ministry’s recruitment agents.

MacGregor-Reid said this was ‘‘encouraging’’, given the 800 teachers it had ready for schools to interview.

However, teachers unions have previously expressed concern the ministry will not be able to attract enough teachers – or the right mix of them – in time for the 2019 school year.

A search of the Education Gazette yesterday morning found 585 vacancies for primary and secondary school teachers.

Of the 800 vetted teachers, 48 per cent are primary teachers, 52 per cent secondary teachers.

About 35 per cent of the 150 overseas teachers already employed are secondary school teachers, most of them science, maths and technology specialists.

Teachers emigrating to work here must be qualified and meet the Teaching Council’s registration standard. They will also receive training on New Zealand’s cultural context and curriculum.