Primary teacher shortfall reaches 1000

Schools warned to adopt "culture change" to avert classroom crisis.

Almost 1000 primary school classes could be without a teacher next year as the government scrambles to make good on a pre-election promise to drop class sizes.

In May, the number of students in each new entrants class is set to drop from 23 to 18, meaning at least 700 more teachers are needed.

But the shortfall could rocket to 930, according to Ministry of Education reports obtained by the National Party under the Official Information Act.

Areas under most pressure will be Auckland and Waikato while many teachers looking for work lived in the South Island, the documents said.

One of the reports, from April this year, showed Education Minister Steve Maharey's staff have warned him that "approximately two thirds of the 700 (extra) positions will not be able to be filled" without importing teachers from overseas.

Another report to Maharey said some schools "might have to compromise on their quality criteria to employ extra teachers".

The documents showed that Maharey and the ministry are pinning their hopes on a significant jump in the number of graduating and former teachers heading into schools.

But even that best-case scenario a 20% increase on previous years would leave 423 gaps that can be plugged only with foreign teachers.

Katherine Rich, National's education spokeswoman, said she was concerned.

"I'm not bagging the skills of overseas-trained teachers but there's no better teacher for a New Zealand classroom than a New Zealand-trained teacher."

As well as compromising on quality, schools may be forced to re-shuffle their incoming teachers into higher year levels, so that the experienced foreign teachers can look after the new entrant classes, the reports said.

Rich called the situation "a long-term crisis" and pointed to the 22% chunk of teachers due to retire in the next 10 years.

Teachers' union head Irene Cooper pointed out that as more children start school throughout the year, the shortfall will increase.

Cooper said, for the crisis to be averted, principals needed a "culture change" instead of overlooking new graduates at the hiring stage, they should start taking them on and supporting them.

"Staffing will be very tight. But if all the initiatives work then we'll get through."

A ministry statement said short-term strategies have been introduced to cope with the demand, including a new advertising campaign in New Zealand and promotions in the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada.

The ministry is also offering re-training courses to teachers who have not taught for some time.

The papers showed that in order to get primary teachers put on the immediate skills shortage list which makes it easier for overseas teachers to work here Maharey had to repeatedly plead with his colleague, Immigration Minister David Cunliffe.

In July after Maharey's third request Cunliffe agreed.

The listing meant teachers shifting to NZ will have their visas and work permits fast-tracked, and relocation costs will be covered "where appropriate", another report said.

- © Fairfax NZ News