Teachers Strike to be Recognised as More Than Just Childcare

Words by Niamh Vaughan (she/her) 

An estimated 50,000 teachers across the country stayed home from school on Thursday, 16 March as part of a national strike after failed negotiations between the Ministry of Education and the New Zealand Educational Institute Te Riu Roa (NZEI), the Teacher’s Union. 

Current working conditions across the education sector are contributing to low teacher retention and overworked educators in an already understaffed workforce. Education Minister Jan Tinetti was booed during her speech on the steps of Parliament. Her voice was drowned out by chants of “walk the talk” and “do your job”.

The strike was an historic moment, being one of the biggest in NZ Education history. It was also the first time, to Salient’s understanding, that so many different education sectors stood together to demonstrate their frustration at being underpaid and undervalued. 

“There was a real sense of kotahitanga,” Catherine Vaughan, NZEI member and kindergarten teacher, said. “It’s the first time that I know of that [early childhood, primary, secondary, and area schools, as well as principals] have all had a strike alongside each other.” 

The Ministry of Education denied almost all 16 of the kindergarten teachers’ claims. Amongst their concerns was the lack of units or funding for kaiako Māori to pursue learning opportunities for te reo Māori education. “There’s a lack of recognition for our kaiako Māori and the extra contribution they make for te reo Māori and ngā tikanga Māori,” Catherine said. “Learning conditions [of tamariki] are our working conditions!” The Ministry of Education did not offer recognition for kaiako Māori during negotiations.

Kindergarten teachers were also denied an increase to sick leave. They currently receive the legal minimum of 10 days, despite being in a high-risk position. “We’re exposed to a lot of germs [everyday],” says Catherine, “We were there [through] Covid.” 

Due to a current lack of paid sick leave and relievers, teachers are forced to either take unpaid leave or go to work sick. “We were here for the country during the cyclones and flash floods. We were teaching through lockdown. We’re always here but not recognised for that. We’re not just here for children, but to support our communities and whānau as well,” Catherine stated.

“I just want to share my passion with the next generation,” said soon-to-be VUW graduate Jess, who will be undertaking a postgraduate degree in secondary teaching at Auckland University next year. Jess says she is of the position that, if we lose our teachers, we’ll lose our history and knowledge. Despite the strike, Jess has “no hesitations” about going into teaching. “I will 100% be joining the union,” she says. “As a History major, I [understand the] importance.”

Catherine urges Salient readers that, “If you’re looking to get into this field, it’s so important to join your union. Unions advocate and bargain for you to get a better deal. [Teaching] is a really rewarding career and a lot of fun, and we want young people to continue to come into the field.” 

As Catherine stated on the steps of parliament on Thursday, “Tamariki are our taonga. We demand that they receive the best education and care.”