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Children running around a courtyard.

Pūaotanga Report 2021

Realising the potential of every child

In June 2021, NZEI Te Riu Roa published Pūaotanga, an independent report which we commissioned in response to longstanding concerns among our members about primary school staffing. The people who shared their views and experiences in contributing to this report told us that primary school staffing is not fit for purpose and the need for change is urgent.

The model used to determine staffing levels has been in place for over 25 years and fundamental changes are required to the ‘one size fits all’ education system we have right now.

The model used to determine staffing levels has been in place for over 25 years

Fundamental changes are required to the 'one-size-fits-all' education system we have right now.

  1. More sustainable classroom ratios and increased classroom release time to ensure teachers are equipped to be at their best.
  2. Increased funding for specialised support staff, including teacher aides and Kaiārahi i te reo.
  3. An increased base of the Māori Immersion Teaching Allowance (MITA) and a matched allowance for Pasifika teachers.
  4. Increased management staffing entitlement with a guaranteed miniumu of 0.5FTE professional leadership staffing.

The Asks

We need systemic change with a clear pathway towards staffing levels that allow teachers to support every child to reach their potential. This means:

  1. More sustainable classroom ratios and increased classroom release time to ensure teachers are equipped to be at their best.
  2. Increased funding for specialised support staff, including teacher aides and kaiārahi i te reo.
  3. An increased base of the Māori Immersion Teaching Allowance (MITA) and a matched allowance for Pasifika teachers.
  4. Increased management staffing entitlement with a guaranteed miniumum of 0.5FTE professional leadership staffing.
A principal of a primary school standing in the centre of a courtyard with an action shot of children running in a circle around her.

About the report

National monitoring standards show that many students are falling behind in key areas by the time they reach Year 8. Reported percentages of students falling behind in different subject areas:

  1. 81% in science
  2. 65% in writing
  3. 62% in social studies
  4. 59% in mathematics
  5. 49% in health and PE
  6. 41% in reading
Primary teachers helps students set up a tent.

We’re letting our Māori and Pasifika communities down

There are strong feelings that the education system is racist and not geared to deliver for Māori or Pasifika children. Teachers and support staff are battling to preserve and encourage cultural education under ever-increasing time pressures and administrative burdens. Support in this space is needed.

Pūaotanga Report 2021 tuhinga e pa ana

Nga tuhinga katoa

Read the report

Change starts from understanding the issues. Read the full Pūaotanga report to understand the challenges facing our educators.

Related campaigns

Take a look at our current campaigns and find out how you can get involved.

Pay Equity for Teachers | Mana Taurite

  • Kaiako Kura
  • Tumuaki

The pay equity claim for teachers is currently underway. This is the largest pay equity claim in Aotearoa, covering over 90,000 teachers and principals working in schools, kindergartens and education and care settings. As registered teachers, principals are included in this claim. As teachers we are highly skilled professionals who work creatively, flexibly and with responsibility to our students and whānau. However, our work is often under recognised. Pay equity gives us the opportunity to win corrections to pay and conditions and to feel truly valued for the work we do. Throughout this pay equity claim we are working with the Ministry of Education and early childhood education employer representatives. The claim covers kaiako from early childhood education through to secondary school, so we are also working alongside the PPTA Te Wehengarua.

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