Teachers: Conditions undermine morale

Staff cuts, poor conditions undermining morale, teachers say

Proposed staffing cuts and suffocating working conditions are undermining job satisfaction among secondary school teachers, a Wellington conference was told yesterday.

Post Primary Teachers Association president Kate Gainsford said the profession was feeling the pressure of excessive compliance, a climate of mistrust, and having too little control over teachers' working lives.

"The fact is, we will continue to struggle to recruit teachers and will continue to burn out the ones we have if we don't recognise the importance of nurturing professional satisfaction," she said.

"There is too much direction and surveillance and not enough intellectual freedom and creativity."

Ms Gainsford said those pulling the strings in the education sector understood the principle that students worked better when supported in their learning, but could not grasp that the same principle also applied to teachers.

"If you trust teachers and give them time and space, good things will result."

Ms Gainsford said increases in teacher/student ratios, tampering with entitlement staffing and reducing non-contact time all equated to a slide in education standards.

"There is no school in New Zealand that has more staff than it needs."

The PPTA was prepared to run a public campaign opposing cuts to secondary staffing, she said.

"We would, of course, rather work with the Government in thoughtful, considered and coherent change in education."

She also touched on the effect inequality in society had on schools and the need for Government agencies to join together to address the problem of dealing with difficult young people.

"This requires a sophisticated level of Government and management. Intervention needs to be as early as possible."

The conference ends tomorrow.

- NZPA