25 signatures reached
To: The New Zealand House of Representatives, the Minister of Education, and the Ministry of Education
Fair Pay and Better Conditions for Aotearoa's Teachers: An Investment in Our Future
Aotearoa New Zealand's future is shaped every day in its classrooms. Our teachers are the dedicated professionals tasked with nurturing, educating, and inspiring the next generation. However, they are currently facing a crisis of unsustainable workloads, inadequate pay that fails to match the cost of living, and a lack of resources. This is leading to widespread burnout and a critical shortage of educators.
We, the undersigned, urge the Government to take immediate and meaningful action to address this crisis. Investing in our teachers is not an expense; it is the single most important investment we can make in the future prosperity, innovation, and well-being of our nation.
Therefore, we call upon the New Zealand Government to:
Therefore, we call upon the New Zealand Government to:
- Commit to a significant pay increase that truly reflects teachers' qualifications, responsibilities, and the rising cost of living, making teaching a financially viable and attractive profession once again.
- Implement actionable strategies to reduce excessive workload and administrative burden, including investing in manageable class sizes and simplifying compliance requirements.
- Increase funding for classroom resources and learning support, ensuring teachers have the tools and specialist staff they need to support every student effectively.
- Genuinely value teachers as trusted professionals by including their voices and expertise in the formation of education policy.
Why is this important?
To value our teachers, we must first understand the immense scope of their role. Every day, they are so much more than just educators. They are:
- Mentors and Role Models, guiding students through critical stages of their personal and academic development.
- Counsellors and Mental Health First Responders, providing a safe space and crucial support for students facing anxiety, stress, and hardship.
- Innovators, constantly adapting their teaching methods to cater to diverse learning needs, including those of students with disabilities and learning challenges.
- Mediators, skillfully resolving conflicts and teaching students vital social and emotional skills.
- Community Liaisons, bridging the gap between school and home, and working closely with whānau to support student success.
- Administrators, managing extensive record-keeping, assessment, and reporting requirements, often outside of teaching hours.
This immense emotional and administrative labour is performed on top of their core responsibility: to plan and deliver a world-class education.
Why Teachers are Essential for Future Generations:
Well-supported, fairly compensated, and respected teachers are the foundation of a thriving society. They are directly responsible for cultivating the skills and values our country will need to succeed in the 21st century.
- They build a skilled workforce, preparing students for the jobs of tomorrow and driving our economic growth.
- They foster critical thinkers and engaged citizens, which are essential for a healthy and robust democracy.
- They nurture resilient and empathetic individuals, creating stronger, safer, and more connected communities.
When we support our teachers, we are supporting our children and paving the way for a better future for Aotearoa.
Please sign and share this petition, together, we can make a difference and ensure better working conditions for our teachers and school staff.