Mixed response to foreign teacher fast-track

A plan to fast-track foreign teachers into New Zealand classrooms has had a mixed reception as the early-childhood sector struggles to find staff.

The Ministry of Education predicts a shortfall of between 1500 and 2600 teachers in the sector next year.

In response, a new policy was being created which would see foreign-trained teachers take a six-week crash-course on the national curriculum, The Press reported.

The idea came from the National Party prior to the election and was backed by MP Paula Bennett - now Social Development Minister.

She said it did not make sense "that we make it difficult for these professionals to teach under-5s in New Zealand".

Early Childhood Council chief executive Sarah Farquhar told the newspaper opening the education system to foreign-trained teachers could solve the staffing problem overnight.

"It would make a huge difference to children. It would be hundreds of new teachers.

"We don't have a big enough workforce and there are many people that could bring in skills and interests and abilities we don't currently have."

However, New Zealand Education Institute national secretary Paul Goulter said a six week training course was not long enough.

"There is a whole set of issues around the special way that New Zealand's education system works."

He said at least a year of extra training was needed.

Early-childhood centres are expected to have one teacher for every 10 children aged over two and one for every five children under two.

- NZPA