Time is running out for teachers and the Ministry of Education to resolve their dispute before it impacts on next year's classes by causing a chaotic start to the 2011 school year.
Jason Smythe.
Post Primary Teachers Association Western Bay of Plenty chairperson Jason Smythe says most high school students finish for the year at the end of next week and he warns the start of the 2011 school year could be thrown into chaos if the dispute is not resolved by that time.
'It would be quite disruptive in terms of the starting of school and with the current plan, our ban on call back days will cause problems for schools wanting to enrol students and start dates.
'Next week is the last chance to have any settlement before Christmas.”
He says Year 9 and possibly Year 10 students will not be taught next week if the negotiations break down.
'The Ministry have been saying that the rostering home is disruptive to students but large class sizes have much more severe impacts on the students.”
The PPTA is asking for a four per cent pay rise and better working conditions, such as smaller class sizes.
The Ministry has so far only offered a 2.5 per cent pay rise.
Jason is not conceding a four per cent rise is unattainable.
'Everything is still up for negotiation.”
The PPTA suspended its plans not to teach Year 10 students on Thursday while negotiations with the Ministry continue.
10 comments
Confusing
Posted on 11-11-2010 12:09 | By Countrygirl
I sent my daughter to school today after hearing the strike had been cancelled. However only about 40 year 10 students turned up and no teaching seemed to be taking place anyway. Ended up with 3 teens home for the afternoon. It's difficult for parents to know what's happening if even the children don't know by the time they leave school the previous day to the strike!! Thankfully being blessed to be a stay at home mum I was able to have several teens come home. Make a plan and stick to it to avoid confusion please. Being an ex teacher myself and knowing why I am an EX teacher I sympathize with the teachers.
Upset Working Mum
Posted on 11-11-2010 12:39 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
What is going on????? Today whilst busy at work i have had several txts from my daughter saying there are only 4 - 5 kids in each class!!!! they are watching movies...no point teaching because there are not enough students to teach anything to. All her friends have left school today because "its gay...no point" and my daughter is now upset at me for making her stay and endure it all."she is the only one who HAS to stay at school because of the rules no one else is listening to" The school Otumoetai College couldnt even tell me what was going on when I rang to find out. Only to tell me that the year 19 students have exams next week and they will determine the classes they will be put in next year. So they should be at school today. I feel for my daughter, but trying to do what is right as a parent. Thanks teachers for leading the way and showing kids how to walk off site because they feel its their right if they are not learning.
Upset Working Mum
Posted on 11-11-2010 13:23 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
CORRECTION: That was Year 10 not 19 typing error my apologies
muzza
Posted on 11-11-2010 13:26 | By Muzza
Secondary teachers not to blame. Late yesterday Ministry of Education said negotiations couldn't continue unless rostering action today was suspended. Teacher negotiators had flown in from around the country from their schools at considerable cost and then that was sprung on them. Another 'set up' by the Ministry negotiators (who are paid big money by the government, but have no discretion to really do anything until given green light by their political masters). Teachers are getting suckered by them, and agree they should just tell the Ministry boffins to suck eggs and keep up the industrial action. Meanwhile the primary teachers are waiting in the wings, and always ride on the coat tails of the secondary teachers with their automatic parity they got awarded years ago.ie what secondary teachers do negotiate automatically flows on to primary, suspect that was brought in by the government as another hammer to hit the secondary teachers with in negotiations. Disputes like this are not always what it appears!
Teachers Suck!
Posted on 11-11-2010 14:19 | By Socantor
Teachers, after having 4% rises in each of the past 4 years, now want another lot! Rotten public-teat suckers! I would love any rise, like most of the nation's work force, but 4% pa for 5 years in a row? To my mind, there is no way that teachers are worth that - just look at their majority end product.
get a life
Posted on 11-11-2010 15:25 | By kaz
teachers need to get over themselves. if most people went to their bosses asking for 4% they would be laughed at. If they do not like the pay find a new job. They're the ones that spent years and thousands of dollars getting a degree for the job they supposedly want. It's not like they have to put their lives on the line, do shift work and all the other s*** police put up with so why should they be on the same pay. Parents are paying for kids educations that are going down the drain thanks to these cry babies
selfish
Posted on 11-11-2010 16:25 | By barracouda
get with the real world, teachers. other areas of the workforce havent had any rises in recent years and it aint looking that flash. now we're expected to put up with this disruption and nonsense while you turn the place into chaos.... all the time we're still trying to work to get taxed to pay your already comfortable wages.
muzza
Posted on 11-11-2010 16:43 | By Muzza
Agree that teachers are well paid if you compare with many jobs around town, but not well paid if compared with other professions like law and accountancy etc. I had a nephew who left teaching, the job he took paid twice as much (Yes some skilled people earn heaps)and he said he would never go back to the slog of teaching.If any of the above actually had a family member who was a teacher they might have a different outlook
Feed Up Parent
Posted on 11-11-2010 17:39 | By l.meyers
People choose to train at thier choice of proffession. It is their decison to be a teacher stop letting the kids down and do your job. If you dont like the job work somewhere else. If all these strikes go ahead this term and with the day off last term my year 9 sons miss a whole week of school. Education is so important to our children, so teachers wake up and do what you are paid to do. Considering teachers are getting paid to strike what the h*** is the government thinking they should not be getting paid for not doing their job.
Am sick of the teachers
Posted on 11-11-2010 19:17 | By carpedeum
I no longer have anyone attending school- but like as the rest of NZ I have been followinr the teachers saga. I am totally over the teachers of this country. Can they not realise that we are all tightening up , earning less and spending less( those with jobs of course)as a result of the Global Economic Crisis. I understand that they have had a 4% wage increase for the last 3 or 4 years- and are being offered 2% increase at the moment. HOW GREEDY- Trouble is they have never been in the real world. Attended School, then training college, then a teaching position. Never put their own money,ideas, drive and ambition on the line in the commercial world- they have been in a very protected environment. The nurses, ambos, fireys have all realised that times are tough and acted professionally and with consideration to the tough times. GET ON AND TEACH
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