Teachers’ union concerned over new council
Teachers are concerned they will be left out of the decision making process if the government’s proposed changes to the Teachers’ Council goes ahead.
Waikato teachers are concerned they will have no input into the establishment of a new education council that has been proposed by the government.
Up to 800 teachers packed Founders Theatre yesterday for a meeting of the Post Primary School Association (PPTA) union to discuss the creation of a new regulatory board.
The current New Zealand Teachers’ Council will be axed and a new body, the Education Council of Aotearoa New Zealand (Educanz), will take its place if an education amendment bill put forward by the government is passed.
According to the bill, members on the Educanz board will be appointed solely by the Minister of Education.
PPTA regional chairperson for Waikato Jo Belgrave said the union is opposed to the government having total control over any regulatory council for teachers.
“Changes that do not involve teacher input are not valid changes. Teachers need to be part of any decision making that involves education.
“We have a lot of very competent and highly trained teachers in the profession. To not use that expertise will not work.”
National MP for Hamilton West Tim Macindoe disagreed with the PPTA’s concerns that teachers will not be included in decisions involving Educanz appointments.
He also said the current Teachers’ Council structure had not worked effectively and that Educanz will boost the status of the teaching profession.
“The aim is very much to ensure there is an independent panel that will speak for them.
“I think many teachers are eager to see a body that will be respected, is professional and able to give them clear leadership.”
However, Labour spokesperson for Education Chris Hipkins said the support of teachers is needed for any regulatory body to do its job effectively.
“Teachers are much less likely to support a body if they have no say over who gets appointed to it.
“We should be looking at how we build on the strengths of the current council, rather than starting from a blank piece of paper.”
The existing Teachers’ Council is an autonomous board that carries out teacher registration, sets professional standards and deals with disciplinary issues.
