Teacher shortage pressure mounts

A Te Tai Tokerau Principals’ Association survey has revealed that 80 schools around the region, with a collective roll of more than 15,000 children, were unable to find relievers for 92.5 teacher absences in the week ending May 24.

Spokeswoman Leanne Otene said the association had been concerned for some time, and had decided to survey principals over that one week. Absences totalling 415 teacher days had been reported by 80 schools, mainly the result of illness and workload, 92.5 of those days having to be covered by means including doubling up classes or principals having to teach.

“This just adds to that person’s workload, and is just one of the reasons we have teacher burnout up here. I dread what’s going to happen now winter is here,” Ms Otene said.

“We know relievers are hard to get throughout New Zealand, due to poor pay and conditions, but in Te Tai Tokerau it’s harder because many of our schools are isolated and small, many are immersion or bilingual, and relievers who may be available are not prepared to travel to isolated areas.

“It is obvious that something or someone has to give urgently. We know this is just another symptom of the current teaching situation, but it’s our kids up here who are suffering. Our teachers can’t keep coming to school when they are ill, which is happening.

“It’s great for the minister to say he is aware of the situation, but we can’t wait till new teachers are trained. We can’t wait whilst Treasury fiddles its fingers. These are our tamariki who are suffering. These are our teachers who are being placed under intolerable strain.

“The ball is in the minister’s court to fix this problem urgently. I can’t help thinking that a decent salary package just might entice some of those who have left the profession to come back in the meantime.”