STRIKING TEACHERS: 'EDUCATION IS ON THE PRECIPICE OF DISASTER'
One tells Whanganui gathering that education is on ‘precipice of disaster’ unless Govt increases its offer
Whanganui primary school teachers say they are willing to continue striking if the Government doesn’t improve its pay offer.
They held their second strike of the year yesterday when teachers, principals and support staff took the day off school to protest the Ministry of Education’s pay offer as well as heavy workloads and lack of resourcing.
Teachers say the situation is dire with one going as far as to say “education is on the precipice of disaster”.
Last week the ministry made a new offer to teachers that left increases of three per cent over three years unchanged.
However, it did offer a new top step and the partial removal of a cap on qualifications for some teachers from 2020. The offer did not address class sizes or professional time claims.
Parents had to take time off work to look after their children or find alternative options.
Primary pupils could be seen with their caregivers and parents throughout the city yesterday.
Teachers, principals and support staff started the day picketing at major intersections around the city as people were heading to work in the morning.
“We are very serious about our pay and our conditions,” said Maryann Roberts, Whanganui Principals’ Association president.
“It’s not just about the pay. We’ve had some great movement in that area but it’s about the conditions. We want what’s best for our learners and the time for learners to learn.”
After the picketing, they met at Whanganui Intermediate to discuss the pay offer from the Government before speeches in front of about 100 supporters at Majestic Square.
St Anne’s School teacher Halim Sheridan said public education in New Zealand was at breaking point.
“I can’t speak for all members but I do know there is strong support for continuing further action from myself and having spoken to a number of other people.
“This problem is not going away. Education is on the precipice of disaster. If people are not familiar with that — that is actually where we’re at.
“Public education is under threat and the Government needs to take some serious, serious action. The action taken thus far hasn’t been enough, anywhere near enough. The message we want to get across . . . is that things have to change.”
One speaker was St Anne’s School Year 7 pupil Sophie King.
“Lawyers, doctors, nurses
The action taken thus far hasn’t been enough, anywhere near enough. Halim Sheridan, St Anne’s School
and many more — none of us would be where we are today without teachers,” she said. “This is all going to change soon if we don’t do something about the crisis that is facing education in New Zealand today.
“The Government support our teachers.”
She said there were too many teachers leaving the industry and there was a decline
must of new entrants to the profession.
Other speakers included parents, Board of Trustees (BOT) members and teachers. All of them talked about the pressures schools were under and why they wanted a better pay offer from the Government.
“We’re hearing about some of our kaiako leaving within the first five years of coming in as teachers and that’s because conditions aren’t nice,” said Jayson Herewini, a parent and BOT member at Mosston School.
“We’ve all got social media accounts, we’ve all got influence somewhere. Those politicians, they want our voice when it comes to their vote. Why don’t we get in behind our kaiako and support them?”
Union members will vote whether to accept or reject the Government’s latest offer.