|
PPTA annual conference to tackle critical issues |
 |
|
6 September 2010
Public, private partnerships, disruptive behaviour and the role of the New Zealand Teachers Council, are just some of the issues teachers will be tackling at PPTA’s 2010 annual conference.
From September 28 to 30 secondary teachers will be discussing and voting on conference papers that will shape PPTA policy for the coming year.
PPTA president Kate Gainsford invites media representatives to examine the papers and attend the conference, which will be held at the Brentwood Hotel in Kilbirnie Wellington.
Gainsford said the conference would be a good chance for the media to gain insight into critical issues that affect teachers in the workplace, and therefore students in schools.
“Decisions at conference are made by secondary teachers, for secondary teachers – it’s a way to learn what is happening out there in schools and what our members are thinking,” she said.
Over the next few weeks we will be profiling the papers to be presented at conference – to help inform people of major issues impacting on education.
“The debate that ensues will help to inform public debate and that is important,” Gainsford said.
For those unable to attend, the conference will be web-streamed live from the PPTA website. Clips of key speeches, debates and decisions will also be available to be replayed.
 2010 Annual conference programme
2010 Annual conference papers
Contact: PPTA President Kate Gainsford (04) 913 4227 or 021 822 001.
|
|
Read more...
|
|
|
Christchurch PPTA office closed |
|
|
Monday, 06 September 2010 09:16 |
|
The Christchurch office of the New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association / Te Wehengarua (PPTA) will be closed today and tomorrow (at least) pending access clearance and damage assessment. Calls to the Christchurch office are being diverted to the Auckland Office.
Dunedin office phone lines are also being diverted to Auckland.
Dunedin email still working.
|
|
Last Updated on Tuesday, 07 September 2010 09:46 |
|
Invest now, or pay later |
|
|
‘If you think education is expensive, try ignorance’ – never has that observation been more relevant.
The country – along with much of the world – is being pounded by the economic crisis. Unemployment is rising while everyone agrees we need more qualified school leavers.
...Their plight belongs to all of us, for it will certainly cost us all.
We have a government that has talked up its intention to invest in infrastructure. Surely, for a nation proud of its achievements and ambitious for its future, that begins with intellectual infrastructure?
Other countries are already upping their investment in public education. They have recognised that, when times are tough, priming the knowledge pump reaps returns. The head of the International Monetary Fund, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, noted in January 2010 that “investment in education in stimulus packages will have much more effect than tax cuts.”
Much of this education investment around the world has been directed at teaching; quality learning is, after all, an outcome of quality teaching.
Attracting and retaining the teachers we need comes down to how much we’re willing to pay. Right now, New Zealand teachers have one of the lowest starting salaries in the developed world, yet they work some of the longest hours. After 15 years’ experience, a New Zealand secondary teacher’s salary is 17% lower than the OECD average.
The PPTA is asking for a 4% salary increase. Comparatively, that’s moderate. The teachers of Queensland and South Australia have just been awarded double digit percentage pay rises.
The Australians think their children are worth the investment. They know that ignorance isn’t bliss… more likely a nightmare.
Are we to move forward with our neighbours, or slip even further behind?
|
|
Last Updated on Wednesday, 25 August 2010 22:17 |
|
Negotiating the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement (STCA) |
|
Wednesday, 19 May 2010 08:53 |
|
The New Zealand Post Primary Teachers' Association / Te Wehengarua (PPTA) began negotiations with the Ministry of Education for renewal of the Secondary Teachers' Collective Agreement (STCA) on 3 May 2010.
Secondary teachers' bargaining updates links to information about our claims for improvements to the STCA and will be updated regarding our progress.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 1 of 2 |
