Teacher shortage crisis looms

[MotherBear]

Teacher shortage crisis looms - NZEI
Thursday, 29 May 2008

A teacher shortage crisis is looming as school rolls continue to build, according to a new survey of teacher supply.

The online survey, by the education sector union NZEI Te Riu Roa, shows "clear signs" of the shortage, NZEI president Frances Nelson said.

The survey of primary and intermediate school principals shows 93 per cent of schools nationally and 87 per cent in Auckland were fully staffed in early May.

This indicates that staffing levels for the year are already beginning to tighten.

A similar NZEI survey in February showed 95 per cent of schools were fully staffed, and Ministry of Education data, gathered at the start of the school year, put the figure at 99 per cent.

Ms Nelson said schools were already noticing that teacher supply is very tight.

"As rolls build through the year and the need for relief teachers to cover sickness grows through the winter, the situation will only get worse," she said.

Over 480 principals responded to NZEI's latest survey. Other concerns were over the lack of experienced teachers and a serious shortage of relievers.

-NZPA

From here .