PPTA rep slams John Key's comments

The Marlborough region PPTA representative has slammed comments made by the prime minister and media reports on proposed strike action by secondary school teachers.

Prime Minister John Key said yesterday the potential strike action showed "how disconnected they [teachers] are from the real world".

Post Primary Teachers Association Marlborough representative Dan Searle said he did not know "which real world he [John Key] is in".

The government focus on bulk funding and privatisation of schools as well as a minister who was not listening about National Standards showed the prime minister was disconnected from the education sector, he said.

Media reports on the PPTA's negotiations with the Government were just focused on the disputed pay rise and not on other aspects of the package presented by the organisation, he said.

Other options put forward to the Ministry of Education, including capping class numbers, laptops for teachers and a boost to employers' KiwiSaver contributions, were suggestions that would make the education sector better, he said.

"When he [John Key] gets back from morning tea with the Queen, he will realise all teachers will be singing from the same song sheet," Mr Searle said.

At union meetings held around the country last week, 99.3 per cent of secondary school teachers voted against the ministry's pay offer of a 1.5 per cent wage rise.

A secondary school teacher's salary ranges from about $44,000 to about $69,000. They can earn more with extra responsibilities.

PPTA president Kate Gainsford said that while pay was an issue, any settlement package would need to address safer school environments and better learning conditions for students.

Schools around the country will close on Wednesday, September 15 as teachers strike for the first time in eight years and more protest action is planned throughout the year if an agreement is not reached.

- The Marlborough Express