Class sizes in Bay of Plenty schools are set to increase after the Government's pre-Budget education changes announced today.

Education Minister Hekia Parata says a total of $511.9million will go into education in the next budget with $60million going into boosting teacher recruitment and training.

Teachers will also be required to have minimum post-graduate qualification to train.

Hekia says in the current economic climate the Government is required to make some trade-offs.

'We will be making a small change to teacher-student ratios in the mid-years of a child's education.”

Ratios will remain as they are for new entrants at one to 15, and for students sitting NCEA in years 11-13, will be standardised at one to 17.3.

In the middle years from two to 10-year-olds Hekia says there is currently a wide range of ratios, ranging from one to 23 to one to 29. The Government will standardise this ratio to 1:27.5.

Hekia says these changes will free up just over $43 million, on average, in each year in the next four years, which will be reinvested back into education.

'About 90 per cent of schools will either gain, or have a net loss of less than one Full Time Teacher Equivalent (FTTEs) as a result of the combined effect of the ratio changes and projected roll growth. These changes will take effect over the next five years.

'These more consistent ratios will give schools greater certainty over their resourcing from year to year.”

Performance pay is also an option being examined by the Government.

Tauranga mother Charmaine Buchanan says the ratio change will mean not as much one-on-one time spent with students.

'If there are more children in the class then there isn't enough time for teachers to do one-on-ones with students.

'It will be ok for those who are quick learners, but for those who aren't as strong in a subject as others it means they will get left behind, as the teacher would have to move on with the lesson to keep up with those who are stronger in the subject.”

Charmaine's oldest son Jordon is in his first year at Boys' College and she says in certain subjects, the increase in class size will not affect him, but there is a risk of him not learning as much.

'I can see the pros and cons of it.”

Hekia says the Government is collaborating in the development of an appraisal system on driving up quality teaching and quality professional leadership.

'We have an education system that is among the best in the world. Four out of five kids are successfully getting the qualifications they need from school and we must celebrate their success and the professionals in the education system who make that possible every day.

She says their education plan is about getting five out of five.

Education is critical to building both our social and cultural strength and the productivity and growth of our economy, says Hekia.