Auckland teachers say they are still in the depths of a staffing crisis, with resources stretched across the entire region. Four principal and teachers groups have released a plan they want the incoming government to implement to keep more teachers in Auckland.
National's education spokesperson Nikki Kaye says $20 million has been spent to help Auckland schools since August, but New Zealand Educational Institute president Lynda Stuart tells Susie Ferguson it's had "very little" effect at this stage.
She says the voluntary bonding scheme for Auckland teachers was a "knee-jerk reaction" to the situation.
"It's going to take a lot. We've outlined a really clear plan, because it's about also attracting people into teaching."
Auckland Primary Principals' Association president Kevin Bush says the government has to consider the cost of not implementing the plan.
He says the voluntary bonding scheme for Auckland teachers has to be approved by Cabinet, and it's not clear if that will happen, "and then it's three years out before the first teachers get any of that money".
The Ministry of Education's voluntary bonding scheme, offering a one-off bonus of more than $10,000, currently applies only to newly qualified teachers at low-decile 'hard to staff' schools, but next year it could be rolled out across Auckland.
