KEY POINTS:
Secondary school students may be returning to oversized classes which contribute to a number of students falling through the cracks, the Post Primary Teachers' Association (PPTA) says.
PPTA president Robin Duff said parents may be less than pleased to find their children in classes of more than 30. "Classes of 30-plus students are helping contribute to a situation where a number of young people are falling through the cracks."
He hoped a staffing review promised by Education Minister Chris Carter last year would help address the issue of overstretched classes.
He hoped the review would focus on encouraging more graduates and skilled tradespeople into secondary teaching to address subject shortages in schools.
"Improved staffing resources will mean more students will have the chance to work in smaller classes, and that can only be good for them," Mr Duff said.
"By eliminating large classes the Government will help create greater engagement in learning and more opportunity to cater for diversity and difference.
"It will give teachers the chance to pay greater attention to each individual student." The PPTA says the average maximum class size should be 25 students, and fewer in practical classes with health and safety risks.
Teachers could monitor student progress better in small classes, there were higher levels of physical safety and students felt more positive about themselves, he said.
"We have been promised that the issue of staffing would be addressed for quite some time and are looking forward to seeing it happen."
- NZPA
