MINISTER'S INTRODUCTION
It's the conference season for the teacher unions and this week I have had the pleasure of attending both the NZEI and PPTA conferences in Wellington. (Full copies of the speeches are available on the Government website www.executive.govt.nz).
A number of issues were raised at these fora, and there's more detail in this issue of Wise Up. However, in this introduction I want to sum up three points I made at the conferences that are not specific to any one policy area.
I'm part of a Government that does what it says it will do and I'm proud of the achievements we've made in education in the nine months we've been in government. I was particularly touched by the way that Wellington kindergarten teachers at the NZEI conference acknowledged that the Government used the Employment Relations Act to return kindergarten teachers to the State Sector Act.
We are determined to be more than a one-term government, and as part of that we have to exercise fiscal restraint within social portfolios. I'm not going to be able to fund all the good policy initiatives I would like. We can't afford to sacrifice long-term aims for the sake of a one-term spending spree.
I have always appreciated the frank discussions and consultation with key sector groups and I am pleased that it is continuing in Government. I am determined to keep in touch directly with key sector groups like the teacher unions, principal organisations, and parents and school management through the School Trustees Association.
Thanks to those who wrote in response to our first issues of Wise Up, I hope you continue to find it useful.
Trevor Mallard
Minister of Education
EARLY CHILDHOOD MAORI AND PACIFIC SCHOLARSHIPS
The Government is to offer scholarships to encourage an increase in the number of Maori and Pacific teachers into early childhood education.
Sixty-five Maori and 40 Pacific scholarships will be offered each year to support students to undertake study to become registered early childhood teachers.
"This is the first time that the Government has offered teaching scholarships for the early childhood sector and it recognises the importance we place on high quality early childhood education," Trevor Mallard said.
The scholarships are like those offered by TeachNZ in the compulsory sector. That is $10,000 paid out in three instalments - on confirmation of enrolment; on successful completion of second year of study; and on full teacher registration (typically 2 years after completion of study).
Application forms for scholarships can be obtained by calling 0800 TEACHNZ (0800 832 246).
EDUCATION AND THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS ACT
Changes in education contracts are likely as a result of the passing of the Employment Relations Act.
"We have gone through a process of looking carefully at the Act in relation to education contracts and there are a number of changes that I am proposing to make.
"For example, to be consistent with the ERA I will be asking my colleagues to get agreement on the removal of the fixed term employment provisions from all principals' contracts and agreements," he said.
MINISTER RULES OUT COMPULSORY MAORI LANGUAGE IN SCHOOLS
Education Minister Trevor Mallard will not adopt an NZEI remit to make Maori language compulsory in schools.
"While I support the ideal of Maori language being available to all school children, I do not support compulsory Maori language in schools. The human resources in this area are so limited that I would sooner they be targeted and concentrated in communities where there is a real push for learning in te reo Maori as well as learning Maori language.
"We are still a long way off a system where we are providing quality resources, and quality teachers where there is a high demand. That's where my priorities lie at the moment. Those priorities were reflected in this year's Budget with the inclusion of $20 million for Maori language education, including $6.2 million on new teaching and learning material and $4.2 million specifically to help curriculum development at Wharekura level."
GOVT. RESPONSE TO MASSEY-ACE MERGER PROPOSAL
Education Minister Trevor Mallard has made a preliminary decision to decline an application by Massey University and Auckland College of Education to merge.
"Having considered the educational benefits, I am not convinced at this stage that they are persuasive enough to justify a merger rather than the development of a closer working relationship between Massey University and Auckland College of Education.
"I want to make it quite clear that the matter is still open, but Massey University and Auckland College of Education would have to show me that any proposed merger will provide sufficient educational benefits for me to change my preliminary view."
The Minister has agreed to extend the original timeframe for Massey and ACE to respond to his preliminary decision until 30 November.
PRELIMINARY SUPPORT FOR BOARD OF STUDIES
The Government is to look seriously at the PPTA proposal for a Board of Studies.
"I believe a board of studies could perform a useful advisory function in the area of curriculum, assessment and qualifications for 16-19 year olds," Trevor Mallard said.
"These key areas of senior secondary education would benefit from sector representatives providing formal advice to the Ministry, in addition to the informal methods of communication we have in place at present.
"I have asked the Ministry of Education to enter into discussions with the PPTA regarding the establishment of a board of studies."
CONTACTS AND SUBSCRIPTION
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Hon Trevor Mallard - Minister of Education
Fax: 04 495 8448 e-mail: tmallard@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Steve Maharey - Associate Minister of Education (tertiary)
Fax: 04 495 8443 e-mail: smaharey@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Lianne Dalziel - Associate Minister of Education (special education; transport)
Fax: 04 495 8463 e-mail: ldalziel@ministers.govt.nz
Hon Parekura Horomia - Associate Minister of Education (Maori education)
Fax: 04 495 8457 e-mail: phoromia@ministers.govt.nz
