The Pigeonhole

Was Mrs Tolley starting to learn something about her portfolio?

For a moment it appeared that someone was listening... 
PLD is highly valued by teachers and principals – and rightly so.  Suddenly it's appeared on the government's list of things to do.  Are they really listening?  Is Mrs Tolley learning?

Nope.

Once again the government is adopting a once over lightly approach that smells strongly of tokenism.  

MOE doesn’t have the staffing to offer this service?  That’s not surprising given its regional focus on property and finance.  Schools are businesses; principals are CEOs.  Now, get on with it: sell your brand and balance your books. 

Unfortunately this flawed business model that does not benefit schooling (as opposed, perhaps, to particular schools) will dominate the Mrs Tolley’s foray into PLD.   Apparently high quality providers will bid for contracts. 

Weirdly, we already have a whole bunch of state-subsidised providers – formerly known as School Support Services – who offer targeted support for teachers and schools.  They are struggling a bit at present as their contracts and staffing have been rewritten in the service of national standards. 

Why doesn’t Mrs Tolley try the radical experiment of actually funding them to provide the services schools need?   Instead, MOE will spend x-thousand tax-payer dollars working through a process of tendering and re-allocation, instead of investing in an existing service that has intellectual capital and knowledge of the sector.  Will the bid with the glossiest brochure win?

The idea that schools might have an ongoing relationship with a critical adviser is a good one.  Teachers and principals know that the roles of coach and mentor can also deliver huge benefits.  PPTA has asked the MOE to address these through the STCA negotiations.  It’s not just about the salaries, actually.  The claim also addresses the need for professional guidance and support for higher quality teaching and better outcomes for kids.  Strangely enough the MOE didn’t want a bar of it.  Apparently, these professional concerns have no place at the bargaining table.