The New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) annual conference resolved “That PPTA advise all members that the teacher only days (TODs) in 2011, 2012 and 2013 announced by the minister of education are for NCEA curriculum alignment work and should be used solely for that purpose”.
Delegates reported problems with how the teacher only days, announced for 2011, were used
The resolution was prompted by delegates who reported problems about the two TODs announced by the minister for 2011, including school leaders choosing not to use one or both days, or insisting they be used for purposes other than standards alignment work.
Branches are advised to be assertive over need for TODs
With the announcement of more TODs it is important to resolve this issue. We advise branches to be assertive about the need for these days. They were one of 23 recommendations of NZQA’s workload advisory group and granted by the minister as part of a package to address NCEA workload.
Purpose of TODs is to support implementation of the new curriculum-aligned achievement standards for NCEA
The following quote from the minister’s speech to conference clearly explains the purpose of the days:
“Earlier this month I announced four further support days for secondary school teachers, as you implement the new curriculum-aligned achievement standards for NCEA levels one, two and three over the next two years.”
“Two teacher only professional development days will be provided to schools in 2012, with two further teacher only days available in 2013. These are in addition to the two professional support days which have already been announced for 2011.”
“This follows recommendations from a working group which I set up, involving PPTA, the Secondary Principals’ Association, NZQA and the ministry, to address the issues around increased teacher workload as the standards continue to be phased-in.”
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