Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, March 16, 2023
Schools and kindergartens around the country are closed as teachers and principals take to the streets to call for better pay and work conditions.
50,000 members of the Post Primary Teachers’ Association (PPTA) and the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI) are today striking after rejecting the Government’s collective agreement offers.
Education Minister Jan Tinetti said earlier that she is disappointed the situation has come to this but is focused on working to find a solution quickly. She said, “This was my life’s work. I have stood where they are standing today, in the past”.
Rallies have been planned around the country today. In Hamilton, the teachers gathered outside FMG Stadium before starting a March towards Victoria Street and finally having a rally at Garden Place.
Teachers from Te Totara Primary School and Rototuna schools will be among those walking off the job for a day. The entire teaching staff have decided to strike alongside thousands of others across the country to push their case for better working conditions.
The Rototuna school has been forced to close for the day, but principal Brian Sheedy said if it was not now, the situation would only get worse. The strike is only the second time primary and secondary school teachers have walked off the job on the same day, and the first time kindergarten teachers have joined them.
At Hamilton West School, an announcement was made about the school closing for today, adhering to the directive from NZEI. Hamilton East School Principal Pippa Wright also confirmed, “the school will be closing to support the national strike of all teachers across New Zealand.”
The school closures affected almost all schools across the city, leaving little choice for parents. Most of the families had at least one of the caregivers work from home or take the day off to look after the children.
Astika Singh, a mother of two primary school children said, “It is difficult to plan things with a sudden disruption in our work routines, but I do support the call for better pay for teachers. We are supporting them and hope a positive outcome is in sight soon.”
Ngaire Hill, a teacher by profession said, “While many people might be frustrated, I request every one to take a step back and think about how there is simply no support in the classroom for the increasing number of students.”
The thought was echoed by Mr Sheedy who said it was not just about the pay packet. He said, “It is about what is going to be good for the kids. For teachers, I know in all schools, it is a vocation. It is not just a job you come in for and goes home again. You are always switched on, you are always thinking.”
“I genuinely hope that we come to an agreed resolution. Nobody wants a strike, it is not something that is done lightly, and it will feel strange for teachers on the day.”
He further added, “We do realise it is an imposition for families, and we are very grateful for their support and understanding.”
Schools have been putting the point across about the lack of relief teachers, and overwhelming work conditions, both mentally and physically, which is resulting in almost 40% looking for alternate options within 5 years of starting, as per statistics.
NZEI President, Mark Potter said the pay offer needed to keep up with CPI (Consumer Price Index).
”For many years we have been raising these issues and asking for things to be taken into account. we have now got a crisis in education, we do not have people lining up.”
”The main purpose of the strike is to draw the Government’s attention to how important it is that we need to them to come to the party,” he said.
Praneeta Mahajan is an Indian Newslink reporter based in Hamilton.
