22 Nov 2014

NZEI still opposed to education policy

9:20 am on 22 November 2014

The primary teachers' union, the NZEI, is standing by its opposition to the Government's flagship education policy, despite endorsement by secondary teachers.

Members of the secondary teachers' union the PPTA voted to include new jobs created by the Investing in Educational Success policy in their collective agreement.

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But NZEI President Judith Nowotarski said that would not prompt a re-think by primary teachers, who rejected the policy earlier this year.

"The investing in education success policy was rejected by the membership on the basis that it didn't reach children in school.

"The conversation to be had about collaboration and pathways et cetera is absolutely a critical one and we'll be involved in those."

She said the difference in the stands being taken by the two unions, reflected the differences between primary and secondary schools.

However the President of the Secondary Principals Association Tom Parsons said the PPTA vote was a sign of growing acceptance of the $350 million policy.

"School trustees association they're firmly in favour, secondary teachers are firmly in favour and I'd be very surprised if secondary principals weren't in favour."

He said the policy would encourage schools to collaborate.

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