Pay day moved forward for school staff

Talent2 chief executive John Rawlinson. Talent2 make Novopay, the troublesome payroll software for schools. Photo / Supplied

The Ministry of Education have moved payday for teachers forward to December 21 to make sure payments with the plagued Novopay system go smoothly.

School staff will receive their Christmas pay on December 21.

Ministry of Education group manager Rebecca Elvy said the payday would normally fall during Christmas week, but will be brought forward. She said the earlier date will enable pay issues for any individuals to be dealt with promptly and before Christmas.

"We appreciate how hard school payroll administrators have been working and want to ensure they don't need to return to school during their holiday period.''

Ms Elvy said if any employee is underpaid or not paid, the school can make an advance and the Ministry will reimburse it, or the Ministry can make the advance directly to the staff member.

She said more than 90 percent of schools have returned their end-of-year data. If any payroll administrator was still struggling to complete the end of year report, the ministry would send an expert advisor to help him, she said.