Fears staff will miss ECE pay hike

The teachers union is worried that a $151 million government pay bump for early childhood (ECE) teachers due to start today might not actually end up in their pockets.

And because much of the early childhood sector operates at an arm’s length from the Government, there are few tools to ensure the money does in fact go to salaries, the New Zealand Educational Institute (NZEI) says.

The $151.1m of cash allocated in Budget 2020 was intended to boost the pay of the 17,000 qualified teachers in early childhood education, with an aim to equalising pay between kindergarten and non-kindergarten teachers.

The Government is able to set a minimum pay rate for the ECE teachers of $49,862 but the boost was intended to do more than set a base rate, with teachers earning higher than that getting pay raises commensurate with their experience.

NZEI national secretary Paul Goulter said some members had suggested the money would instead go towards funding for other expenses at ECE centres, which are not publicly run.

‘‘This is public money intended to improve the pay of New Zealand’s lowest-paid teachers – it shouldn’t be lining the pockets of private companies, or going towards maintenance,’’ Goulter said.

‘‘Some have told us their employers are considering spending this earmarked funding on other expenses instead, such as maintenance.

‘‘We’re encouraging centres and services to do the right thing and pass this funding on to their

Paul Goulter

NZEI national secretary

hardworking teachers. These teachers earn, on average, 24 per cent less than teachers with the same qualifications in kindergarten and primary. They desperately need this increase.’’

Education Minister Chris Hipkins said his expectation that the money go entirely to teacher salaries had been made clear.

‘‘I expect the boost in funding for education and care centres from tomorrow to be used to improve the pay of teachers,’’ Hipkins said yesterday.

‘‘The Ministry of Education, on my behalf, has made this expectation clear to the sector.’’

National Party early childhood spokeswoman Nicola Willis said some in the sector had told her of ‘‘contradictory’’ messages from the ministry.

‘‘It is really unhelpful for there to be ambiguous guidance on this issue.’’

‘‘. . . it shouldn’t be lining the pockets of private companies.’’