NZ Government Invests in Education Workforce

Recently, the Ministry of Education announced further investment into the education workforce to support students whose learning has been affected by COVID-19 and more financial backing for Māori and Pasifika tutoring and mentoring.  

This investment will boost the domestic teacher supply by supporting teachers in training and professionals considering teaching as a career. It will also help offshore teachers wanting to teach in New Zealand. 

Here are the main updates: 

• Teachers in training may have an opportunity to “train on the job” through Initial Teacher Education schemes and the Beginning Teacher Vacancy Scheme (BTVS), particularly in schools with difficulty securing staff.
• Further expansion of the MOE’s Career Change Scholarships is designed to encourage professionals to consider teaching as their next career.
• International teachers who secure a permanent position in NZ can apply for the Overseas Relocation Grant to cover relocation costs if they meet MOE criteria. The MOE will also give financial support to schools and centres to cover the cost of utilising outside agencies in the recruitment process.
• Further funding for New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Teaching Council, and Education Payroll Limited agencies to allow for more efficient processing of teachers.

Recognising the need for additional support for students affected by Covid 19, Chris Hipkins said the MOE had dedicated $20 million to cover the costs of “exam preparation, workshops, tutorials and homework, and one-on-one mentoring”. 

In addition, $2 million will go towards further education support for Māori and Pasifika students. $17.4 million will support students in years 7-13 who have been heavily impacted by Covid 19, and the remaining allocation will be left to schools to utilise as they see fit.