Francesca Rudkin: It's time for the Ministry, teachers and principals to get back to prioritising students

It’s taken over a year, but maybe, just maybe, all the disruption to teenage schooling is coming to an end after the government accepted a recommendation by the Arbitration Panel and offered to increase secondary teachers’ base salaries by 14.5 percent by December 2024.   This package to settle the teachers and principal’s agreement is the final offer from the Government, and will add $680 million to the $3.76 billion already set aside by the Government to resolve this issue. The extra money is coming from savings found in departmental funding through project deferrals, a forecast underspend on staffing and removing the reimbursement of bank staffing.   The Post Primary Teachers Association is “pleased” to see the offer and will be recommending to members they accept it ahead of a vote next week. Wouldn’t that be good.   I think we all agree teachers are undervalued. I think we accept their argument for a pay increase matching inflation, better conditions so they can do their jobs more effectively and a deal which attracts and retains teachers.   Surely these have been met by this offer, and surely they will accept.   I’m not sure even parents who consider education fundamental for our children and the country, and believe the value of teachers should be reflected monetarily, can stomach the use of their children as pawns in this stalemate anymore.   It was always expected that as the election draws near the Government would want to demonstrate it values education and teachers – it wants their votes after all. Equally, the PPTA could be concerned about a potential change in government and more austere times ahead, so are trying to get the best deal they can now.   This deal seems to tick both boxes, and it's time for the Ministry, teachers and principals to get back to prioritising students.   Yesterday, data came to light from the Education Ministry showing that last year 75 percent of school leavers attained NCEA Level 2 or above – down from 81 percent in 2017. Māori school leavers fared worse, with just 59 percent getting NCEA Level 2 or above.   The overall figure should come with some context. Many students began working during Covid, apprenticeships are on the rise and unemployment levels have been low, but serious work needs to be done to find more ways to keep students in some form of education.   I’m not saying teachers haven’t been putting their students first. But you’ve got to admit, the ongoing pay stalemate has been a distraction.   Let’s get back to focusing on the real issue; finding a way to successful educate all Kiwi kids.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.