While the settlement of the latest secondary teachers' contract is welcomed, the costs involved are not, the School Trustees Association says.
President Lorraine Kerr said commitments made in the process of agreeing the deal were not matched by increased resources to implement them.
The burden of funding new
contract provisions fell to the school boards and principals, she said.
The latest deal commits employing boards to "endeavour" to provide non-contact time for part-time teachers. As well, employers are expected to use "reasonable endeavours" to achieve an average class size of no more than 26 students.
These provisions would undoubtedly put pressure on employers to deliver, even though there is no resourcing provided to schools to support the changes, Ms Kerr said.
Employing boards and principals were invariably the "first casualties" of settlements negotiated by the teachers' union and the Ministry of Education, Ms Kerr said.
It was "neither fair nor acceptable" that boards and principals were left with the problem of trying to implement settlements that may have significant resourcing and financial implications for the school.
The association intends to discuss the issue with the Education Minister within the next week, she said.
- NZPA
