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Trainee teachers let down, parties say

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Trainee teachers let down, parties say

3News NZ

Victoria University teaching diploma students were told at a seminar last week only one in five of them would be able to find a job

Victoria University teaching diploma students were told at a seminar last week only one in five of them would be able to find a job

Opposition parties are accusing the Government of letting down trainee teachers following a report that they are being advised to look for jobs overseas because there aren't enough positions in New Zealand.

The Dominion Post reports that Victoria University teaching diploma students were told at a seminar last week only one in five of them would be able to find a job.

The advice came from a speaker contracted by the education ministry who said there would be plenty of jobs towards the end of the decade but until then only about 20 percent of current trainees would be needed.

Labour says the situation is a "terrible indictment" on the ministry.

"It is absolutely crazy to invest in training world-class teachers and then tell them they don't have a future here," tertiary education spokesman Grant Robertson said today.

"This is further evidence that the Government has lost its way in education, they have failed to properly plan for teacher supply which is a basic task."

Mr Robertson says student teachers need to know they have a future in New Zealand classrooms and the Government has let them down.

NZ First says it is disgraceful.

"The Government's lack of focus on creating jobs will simply see them join the mass Kiwi exodus to Australia so they can start their careers with good jobs on great pay rates," education spokeswoman Tracey Martin said.

NZN

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Comments

19/10/2012 5:24:13 p.m.

Carlos wrote:

NZ needs plumbers, brick-layers, electricians and more dairy-workers, not more people who want 15+ weeks holiday a year !

16/10/2012 9:53:41 p.m.

Mel wrote:

Belle makes some valid points. The "Bums on Seats" model has been going on for too long. It began in the late 90s when we needed teachers in a hurry. A four year Bachelor of Eduation was lowered down to a three year Bachelor of Teaching. More tertiary providers were allowed to train teachers, outside of the traditional Colleges of Teaching or Schools of Education at universities. I think that the four year course should be reinstated, and the number of training establishments rationlised. I've seen some trainees at these newer establishments to be somewhat questionable. And I don't think that the govt's plan to introduce Teach First at Auckland University (starting in January 2013) will be helpful either. I've seen some wonderful beginning teachers struggle to secure a position, and soe wonderful experienced teachers too. It is a tight market out there, but some BTs need to move to the back of beyond to secure their first position - but they won't. That's where the old tradition (well before my time of training and being a BT) of bonding new teachers to the teaching service by situating them in rural schools for a year. If that was done in hard to staff areas, with an incentive of a reduction in student loans or the like it may help.

15/10/2012 10:45:08 p.m.

Sonia wrote:

'The best student teachers will find themselves employed'- BELLE What an insensitive and narrow minded view that you have. You obviously have no idea of the current situation that trainee teachers are in. Shame on you.

15/10/2012 6:11:05 p.m.

Gary wrote:

Belle, I think your comments have been vindicated by Mark's grammar.

15/10/2012 3:22:34 p.m.

Belle wrote:

I would argue that the many of the student teachers who find themselves unemployed are not 'world class'. Teacher training institutions in New Zealand are focused on 'bums on seats' and making money. It serves in their interests to churn out as many teachers as possible, whether or not they are any good. The best student teachers will find themselves employed. I think it would be more beneficial setting the bar higher in the tertiary institutions so that the calibre of people coming through is of a higher standard. As a teacher myself, I have been appalled by the quality of some student teachers in recent times. It's about time we tested their writing, spelling, grammar and mathematical skills upon entrance to university so that the number of teachers coming through is less and the quality higher.

15/10/2012 3:18:19 p.m.

mark wrote:

Thats nothing i did a diploma in tchg in 2004, and i still cant get a job in the classroom. While i keep sending off pointless applications ive obtained a diploma in psych, dipolma in health, cert in theology,and now finishing a deegree in psych. ...all no doubt going nowhere except incr my student loan and keep people in tertiary ed in jobs.! Anyone know a course that actually gets you a job.?