Policy Recommendations

Base Funding Increases 

Our schools need to see an increase in core operational funding to meet real costs. Principals should not be required to make impossible compromises as they struggle to meet the fundamental needs of their school communities.  

We need to see permanent roles for learning support and wellbeing staff in all schools, and these need to be allocated according to need. 

Staffing Entitlement Reform 

For any significant and sustainable change for the better, there needs to be a planned reduction in student-teacher ratios and these need to be incorporated into the collective agreements.  

We want to see an expanded staffing formula to reflect pastoral, cultural, and specialist roles. 

PPTA Te Wehengarua once again calls for a co-location of health, social services, and specialist teams within school hubs.  

There must be ongoing funding for community engagement and culturally sustaining practices. 

Strategic Workforce Development 

Incentives and professional pathways are required to retain and upskill teachers. 

For our most vulnerable ākonga, ongoing inservice teacher education and PLD in trauma-informed practice, inclusive education, and equity is required.