Upper Clutha primary school teachers will attend a paid union meeting on Monday (November 21) to discuss a government offer for primary school teachers nationwide following ongoing employment negotiations.

Primary school teachers’ previous award (minimum standard for industry pay) expired at the end of June, and negotiations have been ongoing with the Ministry of Education since.

The next steps could include industrial action, the Post Primary Teachers Association (PPTA) has said.

RNZ reported yesterday (Wednesday November 16) that teachers felt “insulted” by an offer of $6,000 - about half the increase the teacher unions (the PPTA and the NZ Educational Institute (NZEI)) are seeking for most teachers.

Local teachers are asking for parents’ support for their attendance at the Monday meeting, which will mean only half a school day for Upper Clutha primary students.

The Upper Clutha meeting is from 2-3pm and, as the majority of local primary school staff are NZEI members, schools will close at 1pm to allow teachers to attend.

“Teachers will need to decide whether any offers received from the Ministry meet our goal of ensuring teaching is an attractive and sustainable profession and learning conditions meet the needs of our tamariki so the learning environment is better for all learners in schools,”  Wānaka Primary School principal Wendy Bamford told the Wānaka App. 

Local teachers are also backing an NZEI campaign which began this month, which is seeking action on smaller class sizes (aiming to reduce student to teacher ratios by 2030); more support for high need students; support for principals; and support for Māori and Pasifika teachers.  

“Primary principals and teachers play a crucial role in fostering the learning and growth of a child in these vital early years,” Wendy said.

She said “severe underfunding, poor staffing ratios, and increasing pressure because of the pandemic” are hurting the education system and the impact is being felt in Upper Clutha schools.

“Large class sizes and lack of staffing and resources .. impacts directly on students' learning conditions.” 

A 2021 independent review revealed the country’s current staffing model is not fit for purpose and is failing children and teachers, she said.

“Teachers are frustrated as the government hasn't listened and still many of the claims put forward in our last campaign have got nowhere and we are seeking to get some positive action from the government in these.”