‘Chance lost’ with axing of Teachers Council
THE dumping of the Teachers Council is welcome, but the Government has missed an opportunity to create a strong independent body, teachers’ union NZEI says.
Education Minister Hekia Parata announced yesterday a new organisation, the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand, to take over from the council. Appointments had been made for a board to manage the transition.
The new council, expected to start next year, would be made up of nine board members appointed by Ms Parata. Most of the appointments would be made through a nomination process and the remainder would be direct posts.
NZEI national secretary Paul Goulter called the transition a ‘‘missed opportunity’’ to create an independent professional body.
‘‘There will be a lack of ownership by members . . . and there is not even mention of a requirement for the majority of members to be teachers . . .’’
Ms Parata had ‘‘thrown the baby out with the bathwater in her restructure of the Teachers Council’’, he said.
‘‘The sector clearly wanted an independent body whose members were directly elected out of the profession by the profession, along with appointments made in the public interest.’’
Naenae College principal John Russell said it was time for a clean start but independence and teacher ownership was crucial.
‘‘There needs to be clearly redefined functions and everyone needs to be geared up to understanding what the role of the council is.’’
The review process leading to the transition began three years ago with changes based on recommendations from the 2010 Workforce Advisory Group, and findings of the ministerial report into the employment of a convicted sex offender in the education sector.
Teachers Council director Peter Lind said the current board would continue its work until the disestablishment.
The council recently moved to disclose teachers’ names in disciplinary tribunal reports and was in the process of consulting on a shift to opening up hearings to the public.
‘‘Through the 890 submissions received about changes to the Teachers Council it was clear teaching professionals want a body that is independent and a further step away from government.’’
Mr Lind said that the transition board would be looking for an interim chief executive but no decision had been made on whether he would be seeking it.