Members across the country have independently voted in favour of taking strike action. This means that on Thursday 16 March 2023 all members covered by the PTCA will be on strike for the whole day. Therefore, Governors Bay School will be closed for instruction on this day.
Teachers in primary schools considered at length the offers from the government to settle the collective agreement. The offers did not meet their expectations, nor make sufficient steps towards the changes we need for our children to succeed.
The strike was the last thing we wanted to do and the decision was not taken lightly. Teachers want to be in front of students doing what they love and are trained for. Our students need a quality education and we want to give that to them. Unfortunately, the funding for our schools is not enough for us to give the time and resources we would like for our students to thrive.
Being a teacher has become a more complex and challenging job over the years and in particular over the last decade, as the requirements and expectations placed on teachers have grown whilst the support for teachers and schools has at best stayed stagnant and, in many cases, been reduced. Support provided for children with specialist learning or behavioural needs is woefully insufficient, causing more challenges for teachers, principals and support staff.
Furthermore, it is clearly time for the government to address the inequity that sees primary schools resourced (through the operational grant and staffing entitlement), on average, 30% less than their secondary school counterparts. This is particularly disappointing given that this issue was clearly highlighted in the government’s own Tomorrows School Report.
This Thursday there will be a rally in Victoria Square from 10:30am. This event is for NZEI Te Riu Roa teachers, principals and supporters to call on the government to take action to get behind educators so they can better support the tamariki they teach. Members and supporters will begin at Victoria Square and march to the green opposite the Ministry of Education offices.
As always I am available if you wish to discuss the reasons why industrial action has been chosen. Please note that I am a member of another primary principal’s union (PPCB) that is still in active negotiations with the MOE, therefore I am legally unable to join the strike action at this time.
We thank you for your support and understanding as our NZEI union members join other schools in Christchurch and across the nation on Thursday.
If making alternative arrangements for care is difficult, we can supervise a limited number of students if required. Please contact the office if your child/children will need this.