New teachers but still shortage

A new group of South Canterbury teachers have graduated, but a shortage in the profession is still an issue.

A dozen provisionally registered, or beginner, teachers received their full registration at a ceremony last week.

New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI) South Canterbury branch president Wendy Mehrtens said, numberswise, they were ‘‘a wee bit down, but only by two or three’’.

Along with fewer teachers, there was an increasing shortage of relief teachers, which was adding further complications.

Having fewer relief teachers meant schools were having to split classes, and therefore teacher’s attention, Mehrtens said.

‘‘It doesn’t help, but it’s life as we know it, isn’t it? More conversations are needed.’’

Gleniti School principal, and South Canterbury Primary Principals’ Association president, Steve Zonnevylle said the shortage was due to a mixture of relief teachers becoming fulltime teachers, and there not being enough relievers.

From the latest graduate group, most, like Leigh McNamara, will remain in South Canterbury, and some at the schools they taught at for the past two years.

‘‘I’ve always wanted to become a teacher,’’ McNamara, who will continue at St Joseph’s in Temuka, said.