John Gerritsen
Primary principals want end to $100m school cluster scheme
Hundreds of principals are urging the government to scrap a divisive education scheme that costs a $100 million a year, most of it in extra pay for teachers and principals.
The Principals Federation… Audio
Principals want to see the end of communities of learning
The Principals Federation wants the government to stop spending a hundred-million-dollars a year on the previous government's flagship education scheme, the communities of learning.
The scheme pays… Audio
Survey reveals frequent school violence, abuse
Staff at fifteen Otago schools have reported more than 200 verbal and physical attacks in a five week survey. Teachers, principals and teacher aides say they were punched, slapped, kicked and sworn… Audio
Disappointment over physical restraint changes
School principals are disappointed with law changes the government has made for the physical restraint of children. It gave teachers and principals just a day to respond to the plans, which will allow… Audio
Foreign students stuck in NZ over summer
Schools, universities and polytechnics are figuring out what to do with thousands of foreign students who will have to stay in the country over the summer holidays.
There are about 50,000… Audio
Schools' reliance on foreign teachers tested by border closure
Principals say the Covid-19 border restrictions will stop them hiring foreign teachers to fill next year's vacancies.
They say they are still struggling with a shortage of good teachers and they want… Audio
Principals fear border closure will worsen teacher shortage
Principals are worried they will be short-staffed next year because foreign teacher are not being allowed into the country. They are hoping the covid-19 border restrictions can be eased for overseas… Audio
100 schools adopt cohort entry
A hundred schools have ditched the Kiwi tradition of children starting school on their fifth birthday in favour of starting them in groups at the start and middle of each school term.
Principals and… Audio
One hundred schools ditch fifth birthday starts
Education Ministry figures show 101 schools are no longer allowing children to start class on their fifth birthdays. Instead, they're accepting children at the start and middle of each school term, a… Audio
Artificial intelligence tracking student performance
Universities and polytechnics are using artificial intelligence and students' personal information to spot those at risk of dropping out.
It might sound like Big Brother, but it's part of a national… Audio
Teacher describes severe behaviour in his classroom
The Principals Federation say its members are increasingly worried about the level of violence in primary school classrooms.
It says it is the number one problem principals are raising.
Tim, a… Audio
Government bailout for Playcentre
Playcentre says a four-million-dollar government bail-out is a life-saver for the parent-led early childhood organisation. The Associate Education Minister, Tracey Martin, says the money includes… Audio
Fees-free students struggling with uni, report finds
Research indicates the government's fees-free policy is persuading students to enrol in university who are not well-equipped to cope.
The study of 1000 first-year students at the University of… Audio
Tough year ahead for new mega-polytech
The new national polytechnic is facing a bleak first year of existence after 11 of its 16 member institutes announced losses for last year totaling millions of dollars.
The polytechnics that now make… Audio
Teachers union clashes with Teaching Council
Secondary teachers are at loggerheads with their own disciplinary body the Teaching Council and have given it a vote of no confidence.
A letter to PPTA members says the Council's head should resign… Audio
Students fail to return to school post-lockdown
Principals say some families have simply disappeared since the lockdown and the Education Ministry has stepped in to help.
Some parents are keeping children home because they remain fearful of… Audio
Students turn truant after lockdown
The Education Ministry has stepped in to help schools track down students who have not returned to class since the lockdown ended.
It says attendance is pretty much back to normal, but there are a… Audio
Coronavirus: Teenage foreign students trapped here
Schools are caring for thousands of foreign teenagers who came to New Zealand to study and now cannot leave.
Principals say some international students want to go home, but could not get seats on… Audio
Schools losing some of their best students due to zones and choice, report finds
An Education Ministry study has found strong evidence poor communities are losing some of their best students to schools in richer areas.
It says enrolment zones and school choice enable… Audio
Coronavirus: What schools are like on first day back
Today about 800,000 children are returning to school for the first time in eight weeks. Most have not been to school since 24 March.
Schools have to maintain strict hygiene with hand sanitiser in… Audio